76 Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs – 2024

TYPICALLY, ON AN AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DO RN TO BSN PROGRAMS COST?

The average RN to BSN program costs anywhere from $25,000 to $80,000, but tuition costs vary widely from school to school. However, costs go down dramatically if you take traditional campus programs out of the back-to-school equation, which is why this article has chosen to focus on online schools. Most of the schools on the list compiled below charge tuition that’s somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000. And remember: The overwhelming majority of prospective employers make no distinction between an online BSN and a traditional campus BSN. So why not opt for the most cost-effective education?

HOW MANY CREDITS ARE THERE IN THE CHEAPEST RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAMS?

The cheapest RN to BSN online programs are usually the equivalent of the core upper-division nursing classes in a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Since most nursing degrees are comprised of 120 credits, most inexpensive RN to BSN programs involve completing at least 30 credit hours.

A few schools require fewer than 30 credits of core nursing classes but have a 30-credit residency requirement for graduation, so you may have to take an extra elective or general education class. And often, you may be required to take more than 30 credit hours of classes. It all depends upon what a particular program considers core nursing classes and the number of electives you’re required to take. In many cases, you may be able to transfer credits from previous college-level courses, pending approval from your program’s administrators.

For example, the highly regarded RN to BSN program at Seminole State College requires 30 credit hours: 10 core nursing classes, including a capstone preparation (for no credit hours) and a nursing capstone (for two credit hours) plus two electives.

Sam Houston State University also requires RN to BSN students to complete 30 credit hours of track-specific classes.

But the RN to BSN program at Western New Mexico University requires 38 credit hours: 12 core nursing classes and one elective.

And the RN to BSN program at the University of South Dakota only entails 27 credits. Still, the university has a 30-credit residency requirement, so you’ll have to take an additional class that’s not part of your core nursing requirements.

HOW LONG ARE THE CHEAPEST RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAMS?

On average, affordable RN to BSN online programs take 18 to 24 months to complete if you take a full-time class load. Many of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs offer a part-time option, however, which will allow you to complete the curriculum in three to four years. And some offer an accelerated option enabling you to earn a BSN in as few as three semesters (12 months.)

Great Basin College, for example, offers three RN to BSN tracks: a traditional full-time track that takes four semesters to complete, an accelerated three-semester track, and a part-time track that can be finished in six semesters.

On the other hand, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center only offers two degree plans: a full-time option that takes two semesters to complete and a part-time option that can be completed in three semesters.

Indiana University Kokomo also offers two degree completion tracks: a full-time 12-month track and two part-time tracks that allow you to finish your BSN degree in either 18 or 24 months.

HOW MUCH DO THE CHEAPEST RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAMS COST?

Tuition at the cheapest RN to BSN online programs can range between $5,000 and $20,000. You’ll find that the most affordable options are public colleges or universities in the state where you reside. While a few of the most affordable RN to BSN online programs offer the same tuition to online students regardless of where they live, most continue to charge non-resident students significantly higher tuition even though the coursework is offered online.

For example, if you’re a North Carolina resident, your total tuition cost for the RN to BSN program at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke will be $3,199.51. If you’re an out-of-state resident, you’ll pay $8,365.97—which is still a bargain.

In contrast, tuition for the RN to BSN program offered by the University of the District of Columbia will set you back $12,960 if you’re a resident of the Greater D.C. Metropolitan Area and $27,200 if you live outside this region (in part because this program entails 40 credits); this is still on the low end of the RN to BSN tuition scale.

Residents of the Peach State will end up paying $7,180 in tuition for the online RN to BSN program at Georgia Southern University. Since one of the admission requirements is a Georgia nursing license, the program is effectively closed to out-of-state residents.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHEAPEST RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAMS?

Requirements for admission into one of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs are pretty standard:

• You’ll need an ADN or a hospital diploma from an accredited nursing school.

• You’ll need a current, unencumbered nursing license. Some schools will require you to hold a license in the state where that school is located, which effectively means non-resident RNs cannot attend the program. Some schools will admit students who are in the last semesters of an ADN program with the caveat that they must have a valid RN license by the time they take their practicum classes.

• Most schools stipulate that applicants must have maintained a specific grade point average in college-level classes taken before admission into one of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs. This GPA varies from 2.0 to 3.0, depending upon the school.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL COURSES YOU’LL TAKE IN THE CHEAPEST RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAMS?

As noted above, required coursework in the cheapest online RN to BSN programs is equivalent to the required coursework for a traditional BSN program. BSN core competencies reflect the scope and standards of nursing practice advocated by the American Nurses Association and other professional nursing organizations.

You’ll already have taken many, if not all, of your basic nursing classes when you got your ADN or hospital diploma. Expect your RN to BSN curriculum to include higher-level courses like:

• Healthcare Informatics
• Innovation in Nursing Practice
• Nursing Leadership
• Legal and Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing
• Public Health
• Community Health

Most affordable RN to BSN online programs will also require you to take one or two electives. RN to BSN electives will frequently allow you to delve deeper into nursing specialties you may want to focus upon in your future professional practice, such as Palliative Care Nursing, Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, Perioperative Nursing, Mental Health Issues of Adults and Children, or Gerontology.

WHAT ARE THE CHEAPEST RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION FOR 2024?

(Based on the latest In-State per credit hour data from National Center for Education Statistics, the following are the 76 Most Affordable Accredited Online RN to BSN Programs in the nation for the year 2024.)

1. University of North Carolina at Pembroke - Pembroke, NC

Program Details:

What makes the RN to BSN online program offered by the University of North Carolina at Pembroke stand out from other affordable online RN to BSN programs? Small class sizes, highly qualified nurse educators, and individualized learning opportunities. If you’ve already taken the prerequisite general education and support classes, you’ll only need to take 31 credits—nine courses plus two 90-hour clinical rotations and a lab component—to complete your degree. Every effort is made to schedule your lab component and clinical rotations as close as possible to where you live and work.

You can start the program in the summer, fall, or spring semesters, and each semester is divided into two eight-week sessions, during which you’ll take two courses as a full-time student. But UNC-Pembroke understands that most of its online students are working professionals who need flexibility. There’s no time limit on completing this program. The accelerated option will allow you to complete it in a year, but most students finish within 1.5 to 3 years.

How Affordable is University of North Carolina at Pembroke's Online RN to BSN:

Residents of the Tar Heel State will reap the most significant cost savings from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s RN to BSN program. North Carolina residents enrolling in this affordable RN to BSN online program will be charged $103.21 per credit hour, so the total tuition cost for 31 credit hours is $3,199.51. Out-of-state residents will be charged $269.87 per credit hour, so the total tuition cost for 31 credit hours is $8,365.97. Additional charges include university application fees ($45), university graduation fees ($50), and an instructional support fee of $25 a semester.

University of North Carolina at Pembroke's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

You’ll be able to apply for federally backed grants and loans by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Other funding sources include the Department of Nursing Endowed Scholarships and the College Foundation of North Carolina. Graduates of Sandhills Community College are eligible to apply for the $1,000 Pembroke Pathways Scholarship.

Admission Requirements:

To enroll in this program, you’ll need to submit proof that you’ve earned an associate degree or a hospital diploma in nursing with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Successful applicants will have either an unencumbered North Carolina nursing license or a nursing license that lets them practice in North Carolina because the issuing state is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact.

2. Florida Southwestern State College - Fort Myers, FL

Program Details:

Florida Southwestern State College’s RN to BSN track is a 30-credit, nine-course sequence equivalent to the required upper division nursing courses in the university’s traditional 120-credit Bachelor of Nursing Science (BSN) track. All prerequisite classes, including required general education credits (36 credits), must be completed before you will be admitted into this cheap online RN to BSN program. Full-time students should be able to complete FSW’s RN to BSN track in three terms, while part-time students will complete this track in four terms, but no student will be allowed to take longer than six terms to finish.

This is one of the most affordable online RN to BSN programs that will allow you to start in the spring, summer, or fall. Required courses focus on professional issues like advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, community health, informatics, and nursing research. Students are expected to earn a grade of “C” or better in all program-specific courses. Students are also responsible for completing a capstone project before they are allowed to graduate.

How Affordable is Florida Southwestern State College's Online RN to BSN:

Florida Southwestern’s RN to BSN program is only a bargain for nurses who live in the Sunshine State. Florida residents will end up paying $3,771.30 in tuition and related expenses, but residents of other states will end up paying $23,860.20. Additional costs include books, supplies, and an online fee of $15 a credit, which will come to $450 for 30 credits.

Florida Southwestern State College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Since this is an undergraduate program, students may qualify for federal grants and loans; to determine eligibility, students must fill out and submit a FAFSA form. Students may also consult with a Florida Southwestern State College Financial Aid Counselor for information about college-based scholarships.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must have an associate degree or a hospital diploma from an accredited nursing program. All general education classes and RN to BSN prerequisites (including electives) must be completed before applying. Applicants must also submit an unencumbered nursing license from the state in which they are currently practicing.

3. State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota - Bradenton, FL

Program Details:

The online RN to BSN program at State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota was set up at the behest of local hospitals and healthcare providers to help remedy the shortage of qualified nursing staff in that part of the Sunshine State. It’s specifically aimed at assisting Florida-based RNs to attain their BSN degrees. Most RNs should be able to complete this program in 15 months.

The curriculum at this affordable online RN to BSN program consists of 38 credits of upper-level core nursing courses. Courses are scheduled in five-week sessions, with three core classes offered in the fall and spring and two core classes offered during summer. SCF’s distance learning platform utilizes synchronous technology: All instructors and students will be online together simultaneously. Students will also need to participate in 45 hours of clinical rotation related to Community and Public Health to satisfy the State of Florida’s practice requirements.

How Affordable is State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota's Online RN to BSN:

Florida residents pay $112.08 per credit hour for upper division courses, so tuition for 38 credit hours will come to $4,259.04; out-of-state students pay $442.08 per credit hour for upper division courses, so tuition for 38 credit hours will come to $16,799.04. Though this is one of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs, it presents a challenge to RNs based outside the Sunshine State since you can only complete its 45-hour practicum requirement within the State of Florida.

State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

While State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota offers no specific scholarships to students wishing to pursue the RN to BSN track, federal financial aid may be available. You can find out your federal grants and loan eligibility by filling out and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Successful applicants will hold a current Florida nursing license and have completed all general education classes and curriculum prerequisites before admission into the RN to BSN program. The program is specifically designed for graduates of Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or hospital diploma programs.

4. Northwest Florida State College - Niceville, FL

Program Details:

Are you an RN who’s interested in taking your professional career to the next level in a cost-effective manner? Northwest Florida State College offers an affordable RN to BSN program that meets licensure requirements in all 50 states. Students can complete the required coursework in three, four, or five semesters.

The RN to BSN curriculum consists of 30 credits delivered via a distance learning platform. Nine courses must be core nursing classes, but one can be an elective. Northwest Florida State College offers some interesting electives that may not be available through some of the other most affordable RN to BSN online programs, such as “Spanish for Healthcare Providers,” “Nursing Care of Military and Veteran Populations,” and “Introduction to Critical Care Nursing.” All students must complete a clinical rotation in Community and Public Health Nursing, but this can be set up through a hospital or other healthcare provider close to where you live.

How Affordable is Northwest Florida State College's Online RN to BSN:

Northwest Florida State College offers one of the most affordable RN to BSN programs online for Florida and out-of-state residents. Tuition is set by the Florida Legislature and the Board of Trustees at $122.59 per credit hour for residents of the Sunshine State, which comes to $3,677.70 for 30 credits. Out-of-state residents who enroll in online courses must pay $123.59 per credit hour, which comes to $3,707.70 for 30 credits. Military personnel and their dependents pay the same tuition as Florida residents.

Northwest Florida State College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Students pursuing the RN to BSN track are eligible for scholarships administered by the Northwest Florida State College Foundation. Additionally, eligible students may qualify for federal grants and loans by filling out and submitting the FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

To apply to NWFSC’s RN to BSN program, you’ll need to have an ADN or a hospital diploma in nursing plus an active, unencumbered RN licensure. You must complete the required general education and curriculum prerequisite classes before enrolling in the RN to BSN program with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

5. Seminole State College of Florida - Sanford, FL

Program Details:

The 30-credit RN to BSN program at Seminole State College of Florida is designed to accommodate the needs of working professional nurses. All courses are delivered using a distance learning platform that includes online virtual simulations. Full-time students should be able to complete the program in a year (two semesters) by taking between three and five courses per semester, but most students enroll part-time and take two courses per semester. The final course is a capstone project based on the research you’ll do during a clinical rotation in Community and Public Health in your own community; you’ll present this research as a teaching project to a live audience.

This cheap RN to BSN online program was developed using input from healthcare providers throughout central Florida. You can start classes in August, January, or May. If you’re transferring from another RN to BSN program, you must take 25 percent of your required coursework at Seminole State in order to graduate from this college.

How Affordable is Seminole State College of Florida's Online RN to BSN:

Seminole State College offers one of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs: Florida residents and out-of-state residents alike pay $79.78 per credit hour for tuition, which comes to just $2,393.40 for 30 credits. Most students end up spending a total of about $5,000 for tuition, fees, and books.

Seminole State College of Florida's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Seminole State College offers a number of scholarships based on academic merit and similar criteria. As a student here, you may also be eligible for one of the Florida Department of Education’s Florida Bright Futures Scholarships. Another source of financial aid is federal grants and loans; to see if you qualify, you’ll need to fill out and submit a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need an associate nursing degree or a hospital diploma for acceptance into this cheap RN to BSN program. You must hold current, unencumbered RN licensure and your cumulative college GPA in all general education and other prerequisite courses must be 2.5 or higher.

6. Pensacola State College - Pensacola, FL

Program Details:

Pensacola State College’s RN to BSN program is another one of the affordable online RN to BSN programs that was set up to help remedy critical shortages of qualified nurses throughout western Florida. To graduate, you’ll need to complete 32 credit hours (eight core nursing classes and two electives). Pensacola State goes out of its way to accommodate the needs of working students, so you’ll have the option of completing the course sequence in either three semesters if you attend full-time or four or five semesters if you attend part-time. You can start the program either in the spring, summer, or fall.

Core classes focus on topics like management, leadership, nursing theory, nursing research, and evidence-based practice. In addition to online lectures, you must complete two practicums that will require a specified number of hours at a healthcare facility. This affordable RN to BSN online program meets the licensure requirements of all 50 states.

How Affordable is Pensacola State College's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for Florida residents at Pensacola State College is $120.89 per credit hour, so if you live in the Sunshine State, the 32-credit RN to BSN program will set you back $3,868.48. Tuition for students who live outside Florida is $486.89, which means that they will end up paying $15,580.48 to complete an RN to BSN program at Pensacola State College.

Pensacola State College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

While Pensacola State doesn’t offer any nursing-specific scholarships, students enrolled in the RN to BSN program may be eligible for Florida Student Assistance Grants administered by the State of Florida. Students may also be eligible for federal grants and loans. Eligibility for these two types of financial aid will be determined based on the information you submit in your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Pensacola State College only accepts graduates of diploma or accredited associate nursing degree programs into its RN to BSN program. Pensacola State College is only authorized to provide distance learning programs to residents of Florida, Arizona, Alabama, Colorado, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

7. Pasco-Hernando State College - New Port Richey, FL

Program Details:

The core curriculum of Pasco-Hernando State College’s cheap online RN to BSN program consists of 42 credits or 10 courses. Eight of these courses are didactic, lecture-based classes delivered via a distance learning platform, but two are clinical immersion experiences where students must be physically present at the healthcare facility to which they are assigned. Students must also complete a clinical lab component during which they will submit videos of themselves performing specific physical examination techniques.

Semesters are divided up into two seven-and-a-half-week sessions, and each course is taught over one session. Full-time students should be able to complete their coursework in a single year if they take classes in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Part-time students should be able to complete the degree either in one and a half or two years. Every student in this cheap RN to BSN program will be assigned a faculty mentor who will provide students with guidance throughout the length of the program.

How Affordable is Pasco-Hernando State College's Online RN to BSN:

In-state tuition for Pasco-Hernando State College’s RN to BSN program is an estimated $5295.36. Residents of states outside Florida can expect to pay $20,024.30. Additional fees include a $25 application fee and a $728 lab fee.

Pasco-Hernando State College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation offers more than 220 endowed scholarships. You can also apply for a scholarship through the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program as well as for federally backed grants and loans by filling out and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Pasco-Hernandez does not have reciprocity agreements for distance learning in place for residents of California and Massachusetts. All applicants must be graduates of an accredited ADN or hospital diploma program and have maintained a grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all college-level classes they’ve taken before admission.

8. Great Basin College - Elko, NV

Program Details:

Are you a registered nurse looking for a way to advance your professional opportunities without breaking the bank? Great Basin College’s RN to BSN program has exactly what you need. The curriculum consists of 39 credits: nine core nursing classes and one elective. Classes include “Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Nursing,” “Nursing Leadership and Management Theory,” and “Diversity and Healthcare in Policy in Rural Environments.” Nursing courses must be taken in the required sequence.

There are three options for completing the program. The traditional full-time track takes four semesters to complete, while the part-time track can be completed in six semesters. There’s also an accelerated track that can be completed in three semesters. To graduate from the program, you must also complete general education courses in chemistry, integrative humanities, fundamental social science, and fundamental mathematics. This is one of the few affordable RN to BSN programs online that doesn’t have a clinical rotation requirement.

How Affordable is Great Basin College's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for Great Basin College’s RN to BSN program will set you back $10,100 whether you’re a resident of Nevada or some other state. You can also expect to spend an additional $1,200 throughout the program on textbooks and online access fees.

Great Basin College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

This affordable online RN to BSN program administers a number of grants, loans, and scholarships, a few of which are specifically designated for undergraduate nursing students. You can also apply for federal grants and loans by filling out and submitting a FAFSA application.

Admission Requirements:

You must apply separately to Great Basin College and the RN to BSN program. The program is only open to applicants with an ADN from an accredited college. You’ll have to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on all your previous college-level courses.

9. College of Coastal Georgia - Brunswick, GA

Program Details:

If you’re a registered nurse with an ADN who wants to stay on top of your increasingly complex profession, the College of Coastal Georgia’s affordable RN to BSN online program is a surefire way to do so. The required curriculum consists of 30 credits or 11 core nursing classes. You’re also required to complete two clinical rotations at a healthcare facility that you’re allowed to choose on your own. All courses except the final capstone experience are delivered via a distance learning platform; the capstone experience is a hybrid course that requires you to complete a project for the facility where you perform your clinical rotation.

If you opt to pursue the full-time track, you can finish the program in three semesters (including summer.) If you want to go to school part-time, it will take you six semesters (including summer) to complete the program. Faculty members are experts in adult education who are highly experienced in online instruction.

How Affordable is College of Coastal Georgia's Online RN to BSN:

In-state tuition for Coastal Georgia’s RN to BSN program is $106.80 per credit hour, which means Peach State residents will end up spending $3,204 to complete this program. Like most other cheapest RN to BSN programs online, however, out-of-state residents are charged more; if you’re not a resident of the Peach State, tuition is $394.53 per credit hour, which means you’ll end up spending $11,835.90.

College of Coastal Georgia's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

College of Coastal Georgia administers a number of institutional scholarships, including the $11,800 Catherine R. Gussman Nursing Scholarship. You may also qualify for federal grants and loans; find out by filling out and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need to apply separately and be accepted into the College of Coastal Georgia before you can apply to the RN to BSN program. Successful applicants will have an ADN from an accredited college and an active nursing license in the State of Georgia.

10. Truckee Meadows Community College - Reno, NV

Program Details:

Interested in taking your nursing leadership skills up a notch? Check out the Maxine S. Jacobs RN to BSN Nursing Program at Truckee Meadows Community College. This affordable online RN to BSN program consists of 37 credits (10 courses and a capstone class), which are delivered in eight-week sessions. There are two eight-week sessions to a semester. Courses must be taken in a set sequence and you can only enroll in the program on a full-time basis, which means you can expect to graduate about a year after you start.

Like many of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs, TMCC’s RN to BSN program involves a clinical rotation, which you’ll be able to pursue at a healthcare facility close to where you live or work. You’ll also be expected to attend a mandatory orientation session prior to your entry into the program. Apart from that, the program is delivered entirely online.

How Affordable is Truckee Meadows Community College's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for Nevada residents and out-of-state residents is $245 per credit hour, which means the total amount you’ll pay for RN to BSN tuition is $9,065. (Note that tuition for TMCC’s nursing classes is $60 per credit hour higher than the school’s standard tuition.) Additional expenses include textbooks ($1,800), clinical equipment ($50), uniforms ($200), and application fees ($20.)

Truckee Meadows Community College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Truckee Meadows Community College administers many proprietary scholarships, including several specifically earmarked for nursing students. By filling out and submitting a FAFSA form, you’ll also be able to find out whether you’re eligible for federal grants and loans.

Admission Requirements:

All applicants to this cheap RN to BSN program must have an ADN degree or a hospital diploma from an accredited school. Course evaluations are conducted for all students and are completed prior to admission to ensure that the classes students have already taken meet general education and core nursing class prerequisite standards.

11. Saint Petersburg College - St. Petersburg, FL

Program Details:

Not only is Saint Petersburg College’s RN to BSN program one of the most affordable online RN to BSN programs, it’s also one of the quickest: You can complete the curriculum in three semesters if you enroll full-time and take four classes a semester, but you also have the option of taking one course a semester if you’d rather enroll part-time.

The RN to BSN curriculum consists of 32 credits: eight core nursing courses, two practicums, and three or four electives (for an additional 8 credits.) Courses are taught in eight-week sessions. You have the option of transferring 10 of these credits from another college or university. You also have the choice to take your courses in a classroom if you live nearby the college and the distance learning format is not working out for you. And you can complete your two clinical rotations at a healthcare facility close to where you live so long as Saint Petersburg College approves the agency.

How Affordable is Saint Petersburg College's Online RN to BSN:

Florida residents pay $122.70 per credit hour, so the total tuition for 32 credits is $3,926.40. Additional fees, including an online course fee, a learning support access fee, and books, are also assessed on a per credit hour basis, and the college estimates the total cost Florida residents will incur when attending this affordable RN to BSN online program at $5,240.37. Out-of-state residents pay $425.79 per credit hour, so the total tuition for 32 credit hours is $13,625.28.

Saint Petersburg College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Saint Petersburg College Foundation awards millions of dollars’ worth of scholarships every year, including five that are specifically designated for nursing students. Students may also qualify for Florida Bright Futures Scholarships, or federal grants and loans, whose eligibility is determined on the basis of information submitted in the FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

For acceptance into this program, you must hold an unencumbered nursing license and be a graduate of an accredited associate of nursing science degree or hospital diploma program. You must have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all previous college coursework.

12. Broward College - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Program Details:

An affordable RN to BSN program in as little as 12 to 18 months? That’s what Broward College offers. The curriculum consists of 33 credit hours of BSN core courses (11 classes and two practicums) and 6 credit hours of upper-level BSN electives. All lecture courses are taught online and run between 8 and 12 weeks. You can start the program in the summer, fall, or spring. You can pursue your degree full-time and graduate after three semesters, or part-time and graduate after four semesters. You also have the option of taking one or two classes a semester and taking longer to graduate.

Broward College offers some of the more unique classes to be found in affordable RN to BSN programs online, including the only course on end-of-life nursing that’s taught by experts in the field and an ethics course that focuses on current ethical issues. You’ll also complete a final capstone project based on the research you’ve done during your capstone practicum.

How Affordable is Broward College's Online RN to BSN:

For Florida residents, online tuition and fees at Broward College comes to $122.90 per credit hour, which means you will pay $4,793.10 for 39 credits. For out-of-state residents, online tuition and fees at Broward College comes to $243.40 per credit hour, which means you will pay $9,492.60 for 39 credits.

Broward College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Broward College has five scholarships specifically designated for nursing students, including the Leslie Prior Scholarship that’s specifically designated for RN to BSN students. Other financial aid includes federal grants and loans, and Florida Bright Futures Scholarships; eligibility for these sources is determined on the basis of the information you submit on your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants to this program must have a current, unencumbered Florida nursing license as an associate degree in nursing science from an accredited college. Successful applicants will have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all prior college coursework.

13. Northern New Mexico College - Espanola, NM

Program Details:

Northern New Mexico College’s RN to BSN program is another one of the most affordable online RN to BSN programs that was launched to address a critical shortage of qualified nurses serving rural and Native American populations in the high plains counties of northwestern and central New Mexico. The program consists of 34 credit hours of upper-division nursing courses: 11 classes and one elective. Clinical rotations are part of the required coursework, but lectures are delivered entirely online. On average, this cheap RN to BSN online program takes two years to complete.

This program’s focus on integrative nursing care as well as complementary and alternative therapies such as Oriental Medicine, and Ayurvedic and Native American traditions make it unique among affordable online RN to BSN programs. In your final capstone presentation, you’ll be tasked with creating a portfolio that reflects your mastery of core nursing concepts you’ve learned in your previous coursework.

How Affordable is Northern New Mexico College's Online RN to BSN:

For online courses, Northern New Mexico College tuition for New Mexico residents is $295 per credit hour, which means 34 credits will cost $10,030. For online courses, tuition for out-of-state residents is $320 per credit hour, which means 34 credits will cost $10,880. Additional expenses include books and application fees.

Northern New Mexico College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Three needs-based nursing scholarships are available to students who enroll in Northern New Mexico College’s affordable RN to BSN online program. You may also qualify for federal financial aid in the form of grants and loans; fill out and submit a FAFSA form to find out if you’re eligible.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll have to be admitted into Northern New Mexico College first before you can be considered for the college’s RN to BSN program. You’ll have to have completed an accredited ADN or hospital diploma program, and hold a valid nursing license.

14. Fort Hays State University - Hays, KS

Program Details:

The cheap RN to BSN online program at Fort Hays State University consists of 30 credit hours. You can start the program in either the fall, spring, or summer semesters, and full-time students should be able to complete it in as few as three semesters. You’ll need to pass all required classes with a grade of “C” or higher in order to remain in good standing with the program.

One of the required classes has a laboratory component and another is a preceptor-led clinical rotation, but except for that, the entire curriculum is delivered online. FHSU endeavors to find clinical placements close to where distance-learning students live and work, but in the event, they are not able to do so, students will be required to travel to Kansas to complete their practicum (which means they will need a Kansas nursing license.) Students will need to submit immunization records and undergo a background check and a drug test before they will be cleared for clinical participation.

How Affordable is Fort Hays State University's Online RN to BSN:

Online tuition is the same at Fort Hays State University for both Kansas residents and out-of-state residents; you’ll pay $226.88 per credit hour, so 30 credit hours will set you back $6,806.40. Additional expenses include textbooks, uniforms and equipment, and program lab fees.

Fort Hays State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Fort Hays State University has no scholarships or other financial aid packages expressly designated for nursing students. The university participates in the federal Title IX program, however, so students may be eligible for federal grants and loans based on the information they submit in their FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need to submit separate applications to Fort Hays State University and its Nursing Department. Successful applicants will have an ADN or a hospital diploma from an accredited nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all prior college-level work. You’ll also need a current nursing license.

15. Fayetteville State University - Fayetteville, NC

Program Details:

Fayetteville State University’s cheap online RN to BSN program is a 32-credit curriculum consisting of nine core upper-division nursing classes and one elective. You can complete the course in 2.5 semesters if you enroll as a full-time student by taking two courses every eight-week session. There’s also a part-time option that allows you to complete the program in five semesters by taking one course every eight-week session. Students can start this affordable online RN to BSN program in either the fall or spring.

Classes cover topics like health assessment, evidence-based practices, community health, issues and trends in nursing, and emergency care. You’ll be required to complete two clinical rotations when you enroll in this program, but the majority of the program is taught online, and you’ll have opportunities for service learning, virtual learning, and project-based experiences. The curriculum includes a final capstone project through which you’ll synthesize what you’ve learned in your coursework by confronting a challenge you’ve encountered during your clinical rotation.

How Affordable is Fayetteville State University's Online RN to BSN:

Fayetteville State University offers one of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs. In-state tuition is just $41.67 per credit hour, which means a 32-credit program will set you back $1,333.44. Tuition for students who live outside North Carolina is $104.17 per credit hour, which puts the cost of a 32-credit program at $3,333.44. Additional expenses include a technology fee of $15.92 per credit hour, a security fee of $2.40 per credit hour, and a flat book rental fee of $105.25.

Fayetteville State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Fayetteville State University doesn’t have any scholarships specifically earmarked for nursing students. The information you submit on your FAFSA form, however, may allow you to qualify for federal grants and loans.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll have to submit two applications to enroll in this program: one to Fayetteville State University and the other to the university’s School of Nursing. This cheap online RN to BSN program only accepts students who either have an ADN or a hospital nursing diploma. You’ll also need to have an active and unencumbered nursing license.

16. Appalachian State University - Boone, NC

Program Details:

Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives and earn a generous salary while you do it? Then Appalachian State University’s affordable RN to BSN online program may be just the ticket. The program consists of 30 credits (eight classes.) You have the option of completing the program in one year (three semesters), two years (six semesters), or three years (eight semesters.) The online learning platform utilizes asynchronous technology so that you can learn at your own pace. If you enroll in the one-year track, you can expect to do 15 to 20 hours of coursework a week; the two-year track entails eight to 10 hours of coursework a week, while the three-year track entails five to eight hours.

The curriculum includes one clinical experience in a community agency setting. You’ll also be responsible for completing a capstone project that synthesizes the knowledge you’ve learned in your didactic coursework with a challenge you’ve faced in that clinical setting.

How Affordable is Appalachian State University's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition at this cheap RN to BSN online program is $224.12 per credit hour for residents of North Carolina, which means the total cost of your RN to BSN tuition will be $6,723.60. Out-of-state residents will be billed $874.41 per credit hour, which means the total cost of tuition will be $26,232.30.

Appalachian State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

If you live in any one of North Carolina’s 18 westernmost counties, you may be eligible for a tuition grant from the Dogwood Health Trust. You may also apply for federal grants and loans by filling out and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

If you want to attend this cheap RN to BSN online program, you’ll need to hold an ADN from a regionally accredited institution or a Diploma in Nursing from a regionally accredited hospital nursing program. You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all prior college-level coursework and hold an unencumbered license in North Carolina or a compact nursing license that allows you to practice in the Tar Heel State.

17. University of Wyoming - Laramie, WY

Program Details:

The Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing at the University of Wyoming offers two affordable online RN to BSN tracks: The ReNEW Entry option is designed specifically for RNs who completed their Associate Degree in Nursing at a community college in the Cowboy State, while the RN-BSN Entry option is open to ADN- and hospital diploma-prepared RNs no matter what state they were educated in.

The curriculum consists of 27 credit hours (nine classes.) Classes are taught in eight-week sequences; there are two eight-week sequences per semester. All coursework is taught online; no campus residency is required. Full-time students should be able to complete their BSN degrees in a year, but students who need to enroll on a part-time basis due to work or family obligations can take two or three years to finish the degree. Experiential learning is an important part of UW’s curriculum: Four of the required courses involve projects that showcase skills learned in a clinical practice setting.

How Affordable is University of Wyoming's Online RN to BSN:

Wyoming residents will be charged $160 per credit hour, so tuition for the complete program will come to $4,320. Out-of-state residents will be charged $409 per credit hour, so tuition for the complete program will come to $11,043. Both in-state and out-of-state residents will also be charged an additional $49 fee/credit hour for online courses.

University of Wyoming's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing administers 29 scholarships that are earmarked specifically for nursing students. As an undergraduate student, you may also qualify for federal grants and loans administered through Title IX; fill out and submit a FAFSA form to see if you’re eligible.

Admission Requirements:

The ReNEW Entry option is only open to students with ADN degrees from Casper, Central Wyoming, Eastern Wyoming, Gillette, Laramie County Community, Northwest, Sheridan, and Western Wyoming Community Colleges. The RN-BSN Entry option requires graduation from any ADN or hospital diploma program.

18. North Carolina A&T State University - Greensboro, NC

Program Details:

The BSN Completion program at North Carolina A&T State University’s John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences entails 31 credits (11 classes.) As a full-time student, you should be able to complete all required courses in a year with between 8 and 12 hours of study a week, but the university also offers a part-time RN to BSN track. The program is delivered completely online, using asynchronous technology. You can start this affordable online RN to BSN program in January, May, or August.

North Carolina A&T State University is the largest historically Black university in the U.S., and in part, its BSN Completion program was set up to address the critical shortage of qualified RNs in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region. The university has a reciprocal agreement with three local community colleges that allows their nursing students to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees at a reduced cost.

How Affordable is North Carolina A&T State University's Online RN to BSN:

This cheap RN to BSN online program is a bargain for residents of the Tar Heel State. Tuition for incoming and continuing North Carolina residents is $120 per credit hour, so the total tuition for 31 credits comes to $3,720. Tuition for out-of-state students is $576 per credit hour, so the total tuition for 31 credits comes to $17,856. Mandatory fees include an educational and technology fee of $8 per credit hour and a distance education access fee of $5 per term.

North Carolina A&T State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

In 2020, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded North Carolina A&T State University $3.25 million to be disbursed as nursing scholarships. Additionally, eligible students may qualify for federal grants and loans based on the information they submit in their FAFSA forms.

Admission Requirements:

All applicants to this program must have an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree from an accredited community college. Additionally, they must have an active North Carolina nursing license or a compact license enabling them to practice in North Carolina, a negative criminal background check, and a negative drug screen.

19. Aspen University - Phoenix, AZ

Program Details:

You can complete Aspen University’s cheap online RN to BSN program in as few as 12 months although if you prefer to pace yourself more slowly, that’s an option as well. The curriculum consists of 30 credit hours (10 classes.) Courses start every two weeks. You’ll be taking classes like “Issues and Trends in Professional Nursing,” “Healthcare Policy and Economics,” “Nursing Leadership and Management,” and “Community Health Nursing I and II.” The community health coursework involves approximately 90 to 130 hours of clinical practicum experience. Instead of a capstone project, you will take a proctored final exam.

Aspen University’s curriculum meets nursing board licensing requirements in Arizona, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. The school—a private, for-profit enterprise—was one of the earliest pioneers in the distance learning space, so you can expect to access its online platform easily and without any technological glitches.

How Affordable is Aspen University's Online RN to BSN:

Aspen University’s BSN Completion tuition rate is $325 per credit hour, so you will end up paying $9,750 for 30 credit hours. Additional costs include $899 in miscellaneous fees and approximately $1,500 for books and other study materials. Aspen University administers a proprietary, no-interest loan program that will allow you to repay your tuition at a rate of $250 a month for 43 months.

Aspen University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Although the university offers no nursing-specific scholarships, RN to BSN students may be able to qualify for Aspen’s Black Education Matters Scholarship funds. You may also qualify for federal loans and grants through the Title IX program; find out by filling out and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

This affordable online RN to BSN program is open to students who’ve earned an ADN or hospital nursing program while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. You must also have one year of nursing experience, completed within the past five years.

20. Pikes Peak State College - Colorado Springs, CO

Program Details:

Working RNs will appreciate the convenience of Pikes Peak State College’s cheap RN to BSN online program. Except for two classes that require practicum hours, coursework is delivered entirely online so you can plan your study times around your work and family obligations. The program consists of seven core nursing courses and two electives for a total of 30.5 credit hours. You can start the program in January, May, or August.

Each course is eight weeks long. The program offers a dual enrollment option for nursing students who are still pursuing their Associate Degree in Nursing, but you can only start taking classes toward your BSN once you have completed your first semester of ADN studies, and you will need a valid nursing license to participate in practicums. Your final Senior Seminar requires a capstone project that demonstrates how well you can apply the nursing theory you’ve learned in classwork to the challenges you’ve encountered while performing your practicums.

How Affordable is Pikes Peak State College's Online RN to BSN:

Online tuition for Pikes Peak State College’s RN to BSN program is $357 per credit hour for Colorado residents and $461 for non-residents, so Colorado residents will pay a total of $10,888.50 for tuition, while non-residents will pay $14,060.50 for tuition. Additional fees come to $10.85 per credit hour. Residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may qualify for special tuition rates under the terms of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE.)

Pikes Peak State College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

While Pikes Peak State College doesn’t offer any nursing-specific scholarships, the school maintains a searchable database that may help you locate nursing scholarships. The university also participates in the Title IX program whereby qualified students may receive grants and loans to help them achieve their educational goals. Fill out and submit a FAFSA to see if you’re eligible.

Admission Requirements:

Pikes Peak State College is that rare RN to BSN program that doesn’t absolutely require all its students to have an ADN degree or a nursing license. Applications are reviewed and ranked on a point system that considers grade point averages and prior degrees from accredited schools among other criteria.

21. Arapahoe Community College - Littleton, CO

Program Details:

You’ll need to take seven core nursing classes and two electives to complete the RN to BSN program at Arapahoe Community College, which comes to 30.5 credit hours of coursework. Your choice of electives will include classes such as “Informatics/Healthcare Technology,” “Emergency Preparedness,” and “Gerontology Nursing.” Full-time students who have completed their general education requirements should be able to complete the necessary coursework in three semesters. Part-time students should be able to complete the necessary coursework in six semesters.

You’ll be responsible for participating in one practicum, and your final class will be a senior seminar in which you’ll be required to come up with a solution to challenges you encountered in your practicum based on what you have learned through your coursework. Arapahoe Community College is another one of the most affordable RN to BSN online programs that allow students enrolled in its ADN program to start their BSN work with online classes, but you will not be able to participate in a practicum without an active nursing license.

How Affordable is Arapahoe Community College's Online RN to BSN:

Colorado residents enrolled in Arapahoe Community College’s BSN program will be charged $357 per credit hour, so the complete cost of tuition for 30.5 credit hours comes to $10,888.50. Out-of-state residents enrolled in Arapahoe Community College’s BSN program will be charged $461 per credit hour, so the complete cost of tuition for 30.5 credit hours comes to $14,060.50. ACC also offers a modest tuition reduction to WUE-eligible students.

Arapahoe Community College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Arapahoe Community College disburses approximately $1 million in scholarships every year, and as a nursing student there, you may qualify for these funds. On the basis of the information, you submit with your FAFSA form, you may also be eligible for federal grants and loans.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants who are not enrolled in ACC’s ADN program must possess an active, unencumbered nursing license in order to be admitted into this cheap RN to BSN program. Once you’re admitted into the RN-BSN completion program, you’ll be required to provide past college transcripts and immunization records (prior to clinical coursework), and to submit to a background check and drug screening.

22. Texas A&M University-Commerce - Commerce, TX

Program Details:

Are you an RN who wants career advancement but who’s got to keep an eye on the bottom line? The RN to BSN program at Texas A&M University-Commerce may be just right for your needs. This 30-credit program is taught completely online except for clinical practicum experiences. You’ll take nine classes, including “Leadership and Management for the RN,” “Professional Practice Issues for the RN,” and “Care of the Older Adult.”

Students can complete their practicum experiences at a healthcare institution near where they live or work. You can complete the curriculum in either three, four, or five semesters, depending upon whether you take classes on a full-time or part-time basis. Except for the practicum experience, classes are entirely taught online. This affordable RN to BSN program requires neither a thesis nor a capstone project in order to graduate.

How Affordable is Texas A&M University-Commerce's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for undergraduate nursing classes is slightly higher for winter and spring semesters than it is in the summer. Texas residents enrolled in the three-semester track (which starts in summer) will end up paying approximately $11,650 for the complete program, while out-of-state residents enrolled in the three-semester track will end up paying approximately $23,703 for the complete program.

Texas A&M University-Commerce's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Texas A&M University disburses $10 million in scholarships every year. Based on the information you submit in your FAFSA form, you may also be eligible for federal financial aid in the form of grants and loans.

Admission Requirements:

RN to BSN applicants must have graduated from an accredited ADN program with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. You will also need to submit one professional reference as well as a professional resume. Additionally, you will need to possess an active, unencumbered nursing license.

23. Clayton State University - Morrow, GA

Program Details:

Clayton State University is an excellent option for any RN who wants to expand their professional horizons. The 27-credit RN to BSN program, which can be completed in just one year if you enroll full-time, consists of seven core nursing classes and two electives. You can also enroll in the program part-time if that works better for your professional and family obligations.

The program includes a 90-hour practicum requirement: 30 hours in a community health setting such as a county health department or an outpatient clinic; 30 hours in a healthcare education setting; and 30 hours interacting directly with a nurse leader such as a nurse manager or a chief nursing officer. Except for the practicum, this program is delivered 100 percent online using synchronous technology, and you will be expected to participate actively in the learning process. This affordable online RN to BSN program also includes a lab component, which you can satisfy at your current place of employment so long as you get CSU faculty approval.

How Affordable is Clayton State University's Online RN to BSN:

You’ll pay $226.33 per credit hour to enroll in Clayton State University’s RN to BSN program: $169.33 in e-tuition plus a $57 technology fee. The fee schedule doesn’t differentiate between Georgia residents and out-of-state residents. Your total expenditure for the 27 credit program should come to $6,110.91.

Clayton State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Clayton State University participates in the federal Title IX program, which means qualifying students may be eligible for federal financial aid such as grants and loans based upon the information they submit in their FAFSA forms. The university also allocates a certain amount each year in scholarships though no scholarships are specifically designated for nursing students.

Admission Requirements:

This RN completion track is designed for RNs holding either an ADN or a hospital diploma, and an unrestricted nursing license to practice anywhere in the U.S. You will be applying to the program as an undergraduate transfer student.

24. Georgia Southwestern State University - Americus, GA

Program Details:

The 29-credit RN to BSN program at Georgia Southwestern State University was designed to be completed in either one or two years. The educators who put the program together understand the challenges that working nurses face, however, so a part-time three-year track is another option, and under special circumstances, you have up to five years to complete the program. Classes begin in the fall, spring, and summer.

This cheap RN to BSN online program consists of five non-clinical courses, two clinical courses, and a practicum. Upon acceptance, each student receives an individualized education plan to help them stay on track for the completion of the degree. Students are required to take at least one class per academic year to keep their place in the program. Except for the clinical component, all coursework is delivered online, using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous technology. Practicum sites include community settings such as public health departments, school health departments, occupational health agencies, correctional care facilities, rural health clinics, or migrant healthcare clinics.

How Affordable is Georgia Southwestern State University's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for online undergraduate programs such as the RN to BSN program is $169.33 per credit hour. It’s the same amount whether you’re a resident of Georgia or you live out of state. The entire amount you’ll pay for 29 credits is $4,910.57. Additional costs include a $60 technology fee.

Georgia Southwestern State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Georgia Southwestern State University designates 19 scholarships specifically for nursing students. Additionally, qualifying nursing students may be eligible for needs-based loans and grants based upon the information they submit in their federal FAFSA application.

Admission Requirements:

Separate applications are required for Georgia Southwestern State University and the School of Nursing. Applicants must meet the requirements for the Georgia RN-BSN Articulation Model, which means they must have an active, unencumbered license to practice in the Peach State and may not have been excluded from a similar nursing education program due to misconduct or poor grades.

25. Albany State University - Albany, GA

Program Details:

Flexibility is the cornerstone of Albany State University’s RN to BSN program. The program consists of 27 credits (10 core nursing classes), and students can be admitted to the program in the fall, spring, or summer. A full-time student will be able to complete the program in as few as two semesters. There’s also a part-time option that allows you to complete the curriculum in four semesters. Except for your clinical practicum, coursework is delivered via a distance learning platform. Required classes include “Nursing Informatics,” “Principles of Leadership and Nursing Ethics,” and “Health and Wellness of Aging.”

Albany State University belongs to the University System of Georgia’s (USG) RN to BSN Common Course Consortium, which means some of the courses you’ll be required to complete will be delivered collaboratively since they’re part of the RN to BSN curriculum common to all 12 USG schools.

How Affordable is Albany State University's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for this affordable RN to BSN program is $169.33 - $199.00 per credit, which means you will pay $4,571.91-$5,373 for all 27 credits. There is also a tech fee of $65. Out-of-state students pay the same tuition as Georgia residents so long as they are taking no classes with a campus component.

Albany State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Albany State University Foundation sponsors a number of institutional scholarships, some of which nursing students may qualify for. You may also be able to fund your enrollment in this program through federal grants and loans. Fill out and submit a FAFSA form to determine your eligibility.

Admission Requirements:

You must file separate applications to Albany State University and the RN to BSN program. The program is only open to graduates of accredited associate nursing degree programs. You must have maintained a GPA of 2.8 or higher in all previous college-level work, and you must have a current, unrestricted RN license to practice in a U.S. state.

26. Western Carolina University - Cullowhee, NC

Program Details:

Western Carolina University participates in the NC Tuition Promise Plan. This allows qualified RNs who are North Carolina residents to complete their RN to BSN education for a little over $2,500. The curriculum, which is delivered completely online, consists of 12 classes: 24 credit hours of core nursing courses and six hours of upper-division nursing electives. Students have the option of entering the program in either January or August. Full-time students will be able to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in four semesters.

Precepted clinical experiences will be a component of two of your classes. Before you can participate in practicum experiences, you’ll need to submit proof of completion for Basic Life Support training and undergo a criminal background check. You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 throughout this cheap RN to BSN online program, or you may be dropped from it.

How Affordable is Western Carolina University's Online RN to BSN:

Western Carolina University’s BSN completion program is one of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs. The estimated cost for North Carolina residents is just $2,729.30 for the entire program, while out-of-state residents pay just $7,729.10. These sums include books, graduation fees, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Western Carolina University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Western Carolina University administers three scholarships specifically designated for nursing students. You may also be eligible to receive federal loans and grants based on the information you submit when you file your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You must apply separately to Western Carolina University’s Distance Learning program and the RN to BSN program. You’ll need to hold a current, unrestricted RN license and must have maintained a cumulative GPA in all previous college-level work.

27. Oklahoma State University - Stillwater, OK

Program Details:

Ready to step into a leadership role at the healthcare facility where you work? Then look into the affordable RN to BSN online program at Oklahoma State University. This 32-credit curriculum consists of 11 core nursing courses. You can start courses in the summer, fall, or spring semesters. Courses include “Trends and Issues in Nursing,” “Cultural Consideration in Health Care,” and “Leadership and Management in Health Care.”

There are two eight-week sessions to a semester, and full-time students can expect to take two to three courses every session, which allows them to complete their degree in two to three semesters. Part-time students take one course every eight weeks, which allows them to complete their degree in four to six semesters. Two of the required courses have clinical components, and students are allowed to do these practicums at an appropriate location of their own choosing.

How Affordable is Oklahoma State University's Online RN to BSN:

Oklahoma State University is unusual among BSN completion programs in that it has a block rate tuition structure. That means you’ll be charged the same tuition whether you take 12 credits or 18 credits in the same semester. This is certainly an incentive to take more credits and shorten the amount of time you spend in the program! Otherwise, Oklahoma residents pay $$420.35 per credit hour, and non-residents pay $937.70 per credit hour, which means Oklahoma residents can expect to pay $13,451.20 for the entire program while non-residents can expect to pay $30,006.40 for the program.

Oklahoma State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Students enrolled in this program are eligible to apply for federal grants, loans, and other financial aid, disbursed under the auspices of Title IX. Additionally, Oklahoma State University administers seven scholarships and tuition waivers specifically earmarked for nursing students.

Admission Requirements:

This program is only open to graduates of accredited ADN and hospital diploma programs who’ve maintained a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in prior college-level work. You’ll need a current, unrestricted RN license. Preference is given to nursing students who are transferring from Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.

28. Tarleton State University - Stephenville, TX

Program Details:

Tarleton State University offers two tracks for completing its 30-credit RN to BSN program. Courses are eight weeks in length, and there are two eight-week sessions to a semester. You can enroll in the program in the summer, fall, or spring semesters. If you take a full-time load of two classes every eight weeks, you’ll graduate from the program in as few as 10 months. If you take a part-time load of one class every eight weeks, you’ll graduate from the program in 18 months.

All coursework is delivered online except for experiential learning components and a nursing leadership practicum. Core nursing classes include “Evidence-Based Practice for RNs,” “Policy, Politics, and Ethics,” and “Nursing Care of the Older Adult and Family for RNs.” This cheap online RN to BSN program is only open to RNs who hold Texas licensure and clinical sites include hospitals, physician offices, clinics, nursing homes, and other health-related sites in Cleburne, Glen Rose, Granbury, Weatherford, Mineral Wells, Stephenville, Eastland, DeLeon, Brownwood, Hamilton, Killeen, Temple, and other rural areas.

How Affordable is Tarleton State University's Online RN to BSN:

Tarleton State University’s BSN completion program is only open to Texas State residents. Tuition is $439.80 per credit hour, so you’ll end up spending $13,194 for the entire 30-credit program.

Tarleton State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The School of Nursing oversees eleven endowed scholarships and awards approximately $55,000 in awards annually. You may also be eligible for federal financial aid in the form of grants and loans; find out by completing and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Separate application forms are required for Tarleton State University and its School of Nursing. Two separate admission tracks are offered. For the first, you’ll need an ADN or a hospital diploma from an accredited nursing program plus an active unencumbered Texas RN license. Tarleton State University also admits students enrolled in the associate degree nursing program at Tarrant County College into this program.

29. Georgia Southern University - Savannah, GA

Program Details:

Georgia Southern University understands the time commitments that working nurses face and has customized its 28-credit RN to BSN program to be as flexible as possible. You can graduate in as few as two semesters if you enroll in the program full-time, or you can take as long as five years to complete it if you’re juggling professional and family responsibilities.

The curriculum consists of eight core nursing classes; two of the classes require 60 hours of clinical experience apiece. Except for these practicums, the program is taught completely online. Classes include “Professional Nursing Practice,” “Leadership and Management,” and “Community Health Nursing.” This cheap online RN to BSN program participates in the Georgia RN-BSN Articulation Model for RNs and after the completion of six credit hours with a grade of “C” or higher, you will be given proficiency credit for past college-level nursing classes.

How Affordable is Georgia Southern University's Online RN to BSN:

Georgia Southern University touts its RN to BSN program as being just half the cost of other online RN to BSN programs. Georgia residents will pay $182.13 per credit hour, which means tuition for 28 credits will amount to $5,099.64.

Georgia Southern University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Georgia Southern University has designated more than 20 scholarships specifically for nursing students. Additionally, you may qualify for federal financial aid such as grants and loans based on the information you submit in your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll have to apply separately to Georgia Southern University and the School of Nursing. The program only admits students who have received an associate degree or a hospital diploma from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all prior college-level work. You’ll also need to have current Georgia RN licensure or a Compact RN license.

30. Columbus State University - Columbus, GA

Program Details:

U.S. News & World Report has singled out Columbus State University for the excellence of its online healthcare-related coursework. Its RN to BSN program consists of 10 core nursing classes and one elective for a total of 28 credits. This cheap online RN to BSN program is offered completely via a distance learning platform using asynchronous technology except for its clinical components, which you can arrange to perform at a facility close to where you live or work. You can begin your studies in the summer, fall, or spring semesters; each semester consists of two eight-week terms during which you’ll take one or more classes. Full-time and part-time enrollment options are available; if you decide to pursue the program full-time, you may be able to graduate in as few as 12 months.

Columbus State University’s BSN completion program really stands out for the support services it offers its students. You’ll have access to free online tutoring, digital textbooks are available at no extra cost to you, and you’ll be assigned a dedicated faculty advisor who will work with you to help customize a course schedule that’s exactly right for your individual needs. The university supports the Georgia RN-BSN Articulation Model.

How Affordable is Columbus State University's Online RN to BSN:

The tuition rate for the core nursing classes you’ll be required to take is $199 per credit hour. You’ll end up paying $5,572 for 28 credits whether you’re a resident of Georgia or you live out of state. Additional expenses include a technology fee and a student activity fee.

Columbus State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Several of the 14 scholarships administered by Columbus State University’s School of Nursing are specifically designated for students in the RN to BSN track. Students may also qualify for federal financial aid on the basis of the information they include in their FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll have to submit a supplemental RN-BSN application to the School of Nursing in addition to the application you submit to Columbia State University. You’ll need an active, unencumbered RN license in the state where you plan to complete your clinical requirements, and your cumulative GPA for prior college-level nursing classes must be 2.5 or higher.

31. University of West Georgia - Carrollton, GA

Program Details:

The RN to BSN program offered by the Tanner Health System School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia consists of 10 core nursing classes for a total of 30 credit hours. The university is a member of USG’s RN to BSN Common Course Consortium, so five of these classes will be offered collaboratively, while five will be offered through UWG. Apart from the clinical requirement, all coursework is taught entirely online using an asynchronous format so that you can proceed at your own pace. Program admission is in the fall semester only. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in an online self-paced RN to BSN program orientation before starting the fall semester in August.

This affordable RN to BSN online program is offered only as a full-time option, and it will take you four semesters to complete it. The Management Clinical and Capstone Leadership courses require 90 clinical hours, 30 of which will be spent working on an evidence-based quality improvement project.

How Affordable is University of West Georgia's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for the University of West Georgia’s BSN completion program is $199 per credit hour regardless of whether you’re a resident of the Peach State or live elsewhere in the U.S. When you include additional costs for fees, textbooks, and other resources, the total estimated costs of the 30-credit program will come to $10,785.

University of West Georgia's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

In 2021-2022, the Tanner Health System School of Nursing awarded more than $320,000 worth of scholarship funds. The School administers 34 scholarships in all, specifically designated for nursing students. Nursing students may also qualify for federal grants and loans through the federal government’s Title IX program. You can find out whether you’re eligible for this financial aid by submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need to apply separately to the University of West Georgia and the Tanner Health System School of Nursing. To be admitted into this program, you’ll need an active, unencumbered Georgia RN license or an analogous license from a Compact state. Successful applicants will hold an ADN or a hospital diploma from an accredited school with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

32. Western New Mexico University - Silver City, NM

Program Details:

The 42-credit RN to BSN track at Western New Mexico University is one of the most comprehensive among the cheapest online RN to BSN programs. You’ll be required to complete 12 upper-division nursing core classes and a minimum of one elective. Nine credits must come from Writing Intensive courses, and three credits must come from experiential Service Learning, which is structured community service activities. There is a 96-hour practicum component associated with the Community Health course, which you’ll be able to complete in the community where you currently live and work.

The program was started in 2005 in response to the critical shortage of BSN-prepared RNs in the Land of Enchantment. Its curriculum is designed to enhance students’ critical thinking skills in the context of evidence-based practice. Courses take either eight weeks or 16 weeks to complete. Full-time students will be able to complete this curriculum in two years.

How Affordable is Western New Mexico University's Online RN to BSN:

Online tuition for New Mexico residents and out-of-state residents alike is approximately $254 per credit hour. An online fee of $30 per credit hour will also be assessed. The tuition for 42 credits is about $10,668.

Western New Mexico University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Western New Mexico University gives out a number of scholarships through its foundation, but none are specifically designated for nursing students. However, you may qualify for state or local financial aid based on the information you include in your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Only accredited ADN or hospital diploma graduates with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher for all past college-level work are eligible to apply to this RN to BSN program. You’ll also need to have an active, unencumbered U.S. RN license. Note that Western New Mexico University doesn’t provide liability insurance for its students, so it would be prudent to pay for your own liability insurance.

33. East Carolina University - Greenville, NC

Program Details:

If you’re looking for an RN to BSN program that will integrate seamlessly with your lifestyle as a professional nurse, look into what East Carolina University has to offer. The program consists of 33 credit hours (eight core nursing classes), which can be completed in four semesters (16 months) by taking two classes a semester. Most courses are taught over seven weeks, but summer courses are accelerated and taught over a period of five and a half weeks. Courses must be taken sequentially.

Although the curriculum is presented online, some of the courses entail real-world experiences: In the class “Professional Communication in Nursing,” for example, nurses may be asked to interview professionals in community leadership roles. The program culminates with a semester-long RN to BSN Practice Experience Capstone in which you’ll be asked to provide a solution to a challenge you’ve confronted during your experiential learning that’s based on the nursing theories you’ve learned during your didactic coursework.

How Affordable is East Carolina University's Online RN to BSN:

North Carolina residents will be charged $150.40 per credit hour in tuition, to which will be added a technology fee of $16.79 per credit hour and a campus security fee of $2.50 per credit hour. The total cost of tuition and fees for resident students is $169.69 per credit hour or $5,599.77 for the entire 33-credit program.

Non-resident students will be charged $863.71 per credit hour in tuition; the technology and campus security fees are the same as those for North Carolina students. The total cost of tuition and fees for out-of-state students is $883 per credit hour or $29,139 for the entire 33-credit program.

East Carolina University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

ECU’s College of Nursing offers scholarships between $500 and $5,000 specifically designated for tuition and fees. Based on the information in their FAFSA forms, students may also be eligible for federal financial aid in the form of grants and loans.

Admission Requirements:

To qualify for this affordable online RN to BSN program, you’ll need to have an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited educational institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must have a current, unrestricted RN license in North Carolina or a Compact state, and they must reside or be employed in North Carolina or a Compact state while they are students in the program.

34. Colorado Mountain College - Glenwood Springs, CO

Program Details:

Colorado Mountain College’s RN to BSN has a lot to offer any nurse who wants to build on the clinical experience they gained in an ADN or hospital diploma program. The 34-credit program consists of 10 core nursing classes such as “Dimensions of Professional Nursing Practice & Transition,” “Healthcare Finance and Economics,” and “Information Management, Healthcare Systems & Processes: Safety, Quality & Sustainability.”

The program requires 135 hours of fieldwork, and you’ll be responsible for completing a senior project that will integrate nursing concepts you’ve learned in class with situations you’ve encountered during your practicum experiences. Apart from the program’s clinical component, classes are offered entirely online, but you will have to choose between Colorado Mountain College’s various locations in Breckenridge, Salida, Spring Valley, or Steamboat Springs when you enroll in the program.

How Affordable is Colorado Mountain College's Online RN to BSN:

Colorado Mountain College’s BSN completion program is one of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs in the Centennial State. The in-district tuition rate for students who live close to one of the college’s campuses is $135 per credit hour, so their total tuition cost will be $4,590. Other Colorado residents pay $235 per credit hour, so their total tuition cost will be $7,990. Students living outside Colorado will pay $520 per credit hour, so their total tuition cost will be $17,680. (Note, however, that you must have a Colorado nursing license in order to be admitted into this program.)

Colorado Mountain College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Colorado Mountain College’s Campaign for Rural Nursing Success funds scholarships and other financial aid sources for students enrolled in its nursing programs. Additionally, you may qualify for federal grants and loans based on the information you submit in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid form.

Admission Requirements:

This affordable RN to BSN program is only open to graduates of an accredited AAS/ADN or diploma nursing program. Applicants must also possess an active, unencumbered RN license in Colorado.

35. Florida A&M University - Tallahassee, FL

Program Details:

Florida A&M University offers two tracks for the completion of its 30-credit RN to BSN program. If you enroll in the program full-time, you can finish in three semesters; if you enroll in the program part-time, the program will take five semesters to complete. The program consists of 10 classes: nine core nursing classes and one elective. Students can be admitted into the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Except for the clinical hours associated with “Community and Public Health Nursing,” all your classes will be taught online using asynchronous technology. Clinical hours can be completed at the healthcare facility where you’re currently employed. The final course in the curriculum is a capstone seminar during which you’ll synthesize nursing concepts you’ve learned in your coursework with real-life experiences you’ve had in the community.

How Affordable is Florida A&M University's Online RN to BSN:

For Florida residents and out-of-state students alike, tuition at Florida A&M University is $105.7 per credit hour. But out-of-state students pay an additional $444.73 per credit hour in fees (including a non-resident fee of $379.07 per credit hour), whereas Florida residents only pay an additional $46.71 per credit hour in fees. The entire cost for the 30-credit program for Florida residents is $4,553.40, while for out-of-state students, it’s $16,494.

Florida A&M University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Florida A&M University Foundation awards numerous scholarships though none seems specifically designated for nursing students. You may also be able to qualify for federal grants and loans through the Title IX program if you submit a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

To qualify for admission into this cheap RN to BSN online program, you’ll need an Associate of Arts or Science degree in nursing and a valid, unrestricted RN license from the state where you are currently practicing.

36. Midwestern State University - Wichita Falls, TX

Program Details:

The Wilson School of Nursing at Midwestern State University offers a 27-credit BSN Transition program that consists of 11 classes. All students must enter the program in the fall semester, but you’ll have the option of completing the program in a single year as a full-time student or two years as a part-time student. All students must take at least two courses a semester, however, to remain on active status. Courses are taught over eight-week and 16-week sessions in the fall and spring and over five-week and 10-week sessions in the summer. A capstone course includes an experiential learning practicum that allows you to demonstrate what you’ve learned in class in a clinical setting.

This affordable RN to BSN online program was developed in part to be a bridge program for students whose ultimate plans include entering MSU’s Master’s in Nursing (MSN) program. These students receive extra guidance and support during the first semester of the BSN completion program.

How Affordable is Midwestern State University's Online RN to BSN:

Texas residents pay $298 in tuition and fees for the RN to BSN program, so the estimated program cost will be $9,111. Non-resident students enrolled in distance education courses pay the same amount as Texas residents.

Midwestern State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Wilson School of Nursing administers a number of scholarships for nursing students, including a few specifically designated for students in its RN Transition program. Qualified students may also receive financial aid through Midwestern State University’s participation in the federal Title IX program; to find out if you’re eligible, submit a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

If you want to enter MSU’s RN Transition program, you must hold an active TN license from Texas or a designated state, and you must be a graduate of an accredited ADN or hospital diploma program. The university has a dual enrollment program with ADN-to-BSN bridge programs at Tarrant County Community College, Dallas County Community College, Temple Community College, North Central Texas College, Alvin College, Weatherford College, and Amarillo College.

37. University of North Carolina-Wilmington - Wilmington, NC

Program Details:

Enrolling in the RN to BSN program at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington is a convenient, affordable way to join the ranks of BSN-prepared registered nurses. The program consists of 31 credits: nine core nursing courses and three credit hours of electives. The program is designed to be completed in three semesters (12 months.) Each semester is divided into two seven-week sessions, and most students take between one and two classes per session. However, if you need to take a session off, you can do so without jeopardizing your place in the program.

Courses are delivered online using asynchronous technology so that you can learn the required information at your own pace. Teaching materials include required readings, PowerPoint slides, case studies, and group assignments. You’ll probably end up spending 12 to 15 hours of study time for each course you take. Some of your classes will include experiential learning modules, which you’ll be allowed to complete at your present place of employment.

How Affordable is University of North Carolina-Wilmington's Online RN to BSN:

Between tuition and mandatory fees, North Carolina residents will end up paying $209.97 per credit hour to attend this cheap online RN to BSN program, which means they’ll spend $6,089.13 to attend this program. Out-of-state residents will end up paying $796.01 per credit hour, so their total bill for the program will be $23,084.29.

University of North Carolina-Wilmington's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Fifty-five dedicated scholarships are available to qualifying nursing students at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. You may also be eligible for federal grants and loans depending upon the information you submit in your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need to be a graduate of an ADN or hospital diploma program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to apply to this program. You’ll also have to possess a current, unrestricted RN license.

38. Vincennes University - Vincennes, IN

Program Details:

Does your lack of a BSN stand in your way of career advancement? The RN to BSN program at Vincennes University is designed to help you qualify for healthcare leadership roles. This program entails the completion of 50 credits: 14 core nursing classes and two electives. However, you’ll have the opportunity to test out by taking some of these classes. Several classes offered here such as “Fundamentals of Nutrition” and “Quality and Safety in Nursing,” are not commonly offered in BSN completion tracks.

Full-time students should be able to complete the required coursework in four semesters, while part-time students should complete it in eight semesters. A few of the required classes have clinical components, but except for that, they’re offered entirely online. Your educational experience will culminate with a capstone project that allows you to demonstrate how well you can apply what you’ve learned in this affordable RN to BSN online program to real-world nursing challenges.

How Affordable is Vincennes University's Online RN to BSN:

Vincennes University uses an unusual pricing structure for its BSN completion program. Students aren’t charged by credit hours but by the costs of specific classes. Vincennes University offers you the option of taking an exam to test out of some of its core nursing classes; if you are able to do this, you’ll need to take fewer classes, and the cost of your BSN education will decrease. Indiana and Illinois residents can expect to pay $13,946.56 for the entire 50-credit course sequence, while residents of other states can expect to pay $16,741.62.

Vincennes University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Vincennes University designates three scholarships specifically for RNs in the BSN completion program. Other sources of financial aid include Title IX-funded loans and grants, which you may qualify to access based on the information you submit in your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Only registered nurses who’ve graduated from a nationally accredited associate degree or diploma program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher may apply to the RN to BSN program at Vincennes University. Additionally, you’ll need to maintain RN licensure in the state where you plan to complete the clinical requirements for this degree.

39. New Mexico Highlands University - Las Vegas, NM

Program Details:

The RN to BSN program at New Mexico Highlands University is tailored to the working nurse. The university’s flexible asynchronous online learning platform allows you to fit your studies around your work and family responsibilities. The curriculum consists of 32 credits of core nursing coursework (11 classes), which will require between six and nine hours of study time. Courses are taught in eight-week sessions. Full-time students ought to be able to complete the program in 14 months, but the university also offers a part-time completion track. You can start the program in the fall, spring, or summer.

This cheap online RN to BSN program emphasizes community health nursing among diverse populations in rural communities. While the program does not entail a residency requirement, several classes do involve a clinical practicum component. You can do your practicum in the state where you live and work.

How Affordable is New Mexico Highlands University's Online RN to BSN:

New Mexico Highlands University charges New Mexico and out-of-state residents the same tuition: $325 per credit hour. The entire cost of tuition for 32 units is $10,400. New Mexico Highlands University offers three payment plans for students who need assistance covering this cost.

New Mexico Highlands University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Highlands Foundation offers a number of undergraduate scholarships, but none of them are specifically earmarked for nursing students. However, New Mexico Highlands University participates in the federal Title IX program, so you may qualify for loans and grants based on the information you submit in your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Successful applicants will have an associate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and a valid, unencumbered RN license from any state.

40. Nevada State College - Henderson, NV

Program Details:

Nevada State College’s BSN completion program is comparatively unique among the most affordable RN to BSN online programs in that it’s grounded in the principles of Caring Science. The curriculum consists of 36 credits (12 courses), which you’ll take over a seven-week or eight-week session. You can start the program at multiple points during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. If you enroll in the program full-time, you’ll be able to complete it in 12 months.

In addition to advanced nursing degrees, instructors have received special training in online education. Several of the courses involve experiential practicums, but except for these, courses are offered entirely online. In your final course, “Synthesis of Professional Nursing,” you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned in your previous coursework to the development of an evidence-based project.

How Affordable is Nevada State College's Online RN to BSN:

You’ll pay $222.50 per credit hour to attend this RN to BSN program. Including fees, residents of the Silver State will pay $8,010 for all 36 credits of this program, and out-of-state residents will pay $8,900.

Nevada State College's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Nevada State College Foundation administers three scholarships that are specifically designated for nursing students. Additionally, students taking six credits or more per semester are eligible for federal grants and loans based on the information they submit in their FAFSA forms.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need an associate degree or diploma from a regionally accredited nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher if you want to be accepted into Nevada State College’s RN to BSN program. You’ll also need an active RN license within seven weeks of acceptance into the program.

41. Pittsburg State University - Pittsburg, KS

Program Details:

The Bradley School of Nursing at Pittsburg State University offers a 30-credit RN to BSN program that will help you qualify for advanced career roles as a shift leader, a clinical manager, or nurse director. The curriculum consists of 10 core nursing classes such as “Health Assessment for the Registered Nurse,” “Health Care Policy Today and in the Future for the Registered Nurse,” and “Population-based Health Care.” If you’re a full-time student, you should be able to graduate from this program in as few as 12 months, but you’ll also have the option of pursuing your educational goals part-time. A dedicated faculty advisor will help you develop an individualized study plan that meets your needs.

This cheap online RN to BSN program prioritizes nursing research, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to integrate what you’ve learned in class with real-world clinical situations. Several of your classes will have experiential components that will allow you to apply the nursing concepts you’ve learned in your coursework to solve practical challenges.

How Affordable is Pittsburg State University's Online RN to BSN:

Residents of Kansas will pay $285 per credit hour in tuition to enroll in this RN to BSN program, which means tuition for the full 30-credit program will cost $8,550. Students who live outside the Sunflower State will pay $374 per credit hour, which means tuition for the full 30-credit program will cost $11,220. Additional fees include a distance fee of $36 per credit hour and a College of Technology fee of $22 per credit hour that caps at $220.

Pittsburg State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Pittsburg State University administers 52 scholarships that are specifically designated for nursing students. You may also be eligible for federal grants and loans depending upon the information you enter into your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

This RN to BSN program requires separate applications to Pittsburg State University and the Bradley School of Nursing. The program is only open to RNs with a current active nursing license who are graduates of an accredited associate degree or hospital diploma nursing program.

42. University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston - Houston, TX

Program Details:

With full-time and part-time program options and flexible enrollment, the RN to BSN program offered by the Cizik School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston was designed with the working RN in mind. The curriculum consists of 10 classes (31 credits), which you can complete in two semesters if you pursue your educational goals full-time or three semesters if you attend part-time. Most students opt for the three-semester track. The Cizik School of Nursing uses a concept-based curriculum designed to sharpen critical thinking competencies, communication skills, and intraprofessionalism.

Apart from one class, the entire curriculum is taught online and is accessible from anywhere. Your final class, “Community Health Project for RNs,” contains clinical components, and you will be asked to complete a project that combines what you’ve learned in your coursework with a challenge you came up against in your practicum.

How Affordable is University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston's Online RN to BSN:

The University of Texas Health Science Center’s RN to BSN program does not accept students who live outside Texas. Tuition is $273 per credit hour, but you’ll also have to pay additional fees for nursing technology, nursing simulation, and clinical labs and placements. You’ll pay approximately $403.41 per credit hour between fees and tuition, which comes to $12,382.25 for the entire 31-credit program.

University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Cizik School of Nursing offers a number of scholarships based both on financial need and academic merit. Six of those scholarships are specifically designated for undergraduate nursing students. Additionally, filling out a FAFSA form may help you qualify for federal grants and loans.

Admission Requirements:

This cheap RN to BSN online program is only open to registered nurses who hold active, unencumbered licenses in the Lone Star State. You must hold an ADN or a diploma in nursing, and you must have completed all prerequisite nursing classes with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

43. Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton, FL

Program Details:

Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn School of Nursing offers four completion tracks for its 32-credit RN to BSN program. If you enroll full-time, you can complete the curriculum in as few as three semesters. But Florida Atlantic University understands the pressures working RNs face as they pursue educational goals, so you’ll also have the option of completing the program in four, five, or six semesters. You can start the program in the spring, summer, or fall.

All classes are offered online, but your “Nursing Practice Immersion” course will require a clinical component, which you’ll need to complete in a community health or population health setting. Every effort will be made to find you a clinical placement close to where you live and work. Select students will have the opportunity to participate in a unique, transcultural Oklahoma Native American Practicum where they will interact with Cherokee tribes.

How Affordable is Florida Atlantic University's Online RN to BSN:

Florida residents pay $203.29 per credit hour for Florida Atlantic University’s online RN to BSN program, which means their total tuition for 32 credits will be $6,505.28. Students who live outside the Sunshine State pay $721.84 per credit hour, which means their total tuition will come to $23,098.88.

Florida Atlantic University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Christine E. Lynn School of Nursing administers several needs-based scholarships for undergraduate nursing students. You may also qualify for federal financial aid in the form of loans and grants based on the information contained in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Admission Requirements:

Separate applications are required for Florida State University and the Christine E. Lynn School of Nursing. This program is only open to RNs with an associate degree in nursing or its equivalent from an accredited nursing program, and you must have earned a grade of “C” or better in all required prerequisite courses. You’ll also need an active, unencumbered RN license in your state of residency.

44. University of Texas Permian Basin - Odessa, TX

Program Details:

Except for two courses with clinical components, the University of Texas Permian Basin’s 38-credit RN to BSN program is delivered entirely online using asynchronous technology that allows you to learn at your own pace. Most courses are taught over an eight-week session; there are two eight-week sessions in the spring and summer semesters and two seven-week sessions during the summer semester. Courses include “Health Assessment for the Professional Nurse,” “Social Determinants of Health,” and “Informatics and Innovation.”

You’ll be able to choose your own clinical experiences and your own nurse preceptors as long as those preceptors are BSN-prepared nurses who are working in a leadership role. For your final course, you’ll be required to complete a capstone project that requires you to apply the leadership principles you’ve learned in your coursework to a challenge you encountered during your experiential practicum.

How Affordable is University of Texas Permian Basin's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for this cheap RN to BSN online program is $327.34 per credit hour, regardless of whether you are an out-of-state student or a resident of the Lone Star State. Other fees are also assessed (including a $75 transfer orientation fee), so your total cost for the 38 credits will be $12,438.92.

University of Texas Permian Basin's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Through a partnership with the Permian Strategic Alliance, UTPB can cover tuition and mandatory fee expenses for select nursing undergraduates. The university also participates in the federal Title IX program, so filling out and submitting a FAFSA form may help you qualify for grants, loans, and other types of financial aid.

Admission Requirements:

Only candidates who’ve graduated from a nationally accredited associate or hospital diploma nursing program are eligible to apply to this program. You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Additionally, you must hold a current, unrestricted RN license.

45. University of Central Florida - Orlando, FL

Program Details:

The University of Central Florida’s 30-credit RN to BSN program can be completed online in as few as three semesters, but you also have the option of completing it in as long as 11 semesters if that fits better with all the work and family obligations on your time. Most students complete the program within three to five semesters. You can start the program in the spring, summer, or fall. This curriculum is also offered at some of UCF’s satellite campuses, and the same faculty members who teach the campus curriculum teach the online RN to BSN courses.

This program entails 11 classes, and the curriculum is very demanding, with an emphasis on the sciences. Your final course, “Community & Public Health Practicum for RNs,” involves a clinical rotation, which you can fulfill in the community where you live and work.

How Affordable is University of Central Florida's Online RN to BSN:

If you’re a resident of the Sunshine State, tuition and fees for this affordable online RN to BSN program will come to $212.28 per credit hour, so the total cost for 30 credits will be $6,368.40. Out-of-state residents will pay $748.49 in tuition and fees, so their total cost for the program will come to $22,454.70.

University of Central Florida's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The UCF College of Nursing administers five nursing-specific scholarships. You may also apply for federal financial aid in the form of grants and loans by completing and turning in a FAFSA application.

Admission Requirements:

To be accepted into this program, you must be a licensed RN who has earned an ADN from an accredited Florida school or a previous bachelor’s degree from any regionally accredited institution.

46. University of West Florida - Pensacola, FL

Program Details:

The University of West Florida’s 32-credit RN to BSN program includes classes covering such topics as health assessment, evidence-based nursing practice, pharmacology, ethics and legal concepts, and nursing strategies for older adults. The curriculum also includes two credit hours dedicated to sharpening your writing skills. Each course is eight weeks long, and there are two eight-week sessions in a semester. The program takes three to five semesters to complete, depending upon whether you enroll full-time or part-time.

A capstone course focuses on the role of the BSN-prepared RN as an educator and gives you the opportunity to design your own evidence-based teaching plan for a vulnerable population in a community setting. This is another one of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs that allows you to begin your studies in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

How Affordable is University of West Florida's Online RN to BSN:

In-state tuition for this RN to BSN program comes to $218.98 per credit hour, which means you’ll pay $7,007.36 for the entire 32-credit program. Out-of-state tuition comes to $648.37 per credit hour, which means you’ll pay $20,747.84 for the entire 32-credit program. Alabama residents and Armed Forces members on active duty may be eligible for non-resident waivers.

University of West Florida's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The University of West Florida has designated 13 scholarships specifically for nursing students. The university also participates in the Argo 30 Guarantee, a funding source dedicated to the needs of low-income students. You may also qualify for federal grants and loans based on the information you’ve included on your FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

To be admitted into this RN to BSN program, you must have an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree from a community college with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. You must also have an active, unrestricted RN license in the state where you’ll reside while completing the clinical coursework components of this program.

47. University of North Florida - Jacksonville, FL

Program Details:

Are you an RN looking for an inexpensive and quick way to open up new career opportunities? The Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida offers a 30-credit RN to BSN program that can be completed in a single year. The program has six starts a year in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Each class is taught over an eight-week term, and there are two terms a semester. You can enroll in the program part-time, but once you have begun the program, you must complete it within three years.

The program utilizes a distance learning format, but the community nursing classes have an experiential learning component. You can complete your community experience hours at public health or community agencies, homeless shelters, hospital outreach programs, or home care agencies close to your home.

How Affordable is University of North Florida's Online RN to BSN:

Whether you’re a resident of Florida or you live out of state, your tuition for this cheap RN to BSN online program will be $242.98 per credit hour, which means your total tuition for the entire 30-credit program will be $7,289.40. RNs employed by participating healthcare providers or who belong to participating professional organizations may be eligible for a 10 percent tuition discount.

University of North Florida's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

As an online student at the University of North Florida, you’re eligible to be considered for financial aid. The Brooks College of Health offers a number of needs- and merit-based scholarships every year, some of which are designated for nursing students. You may also qualify for state and federal grants and loans; find out by filling out and handing in a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need an ADN, an ASN, or a hospital diploma in nursing to be admitted into this program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7. Additionally, you will need to possess an active, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence.

48. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Lubbock, TX

Program Details:

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock offers a 30-credit RN to BSN program that can be completed full-time in two semesters or part-time in three, but once you start the program, all coursework must be finished within two years. The classes consist of 11 core nursing courses and one elective. Classes include “Evaluating Risk in Healthcare,” “Management and Leadership Bedside to Boardroom,” and “Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics.” Full-time students take two to three classes at a time and can plan on studying two to three hours a week per class.

While the curriculum does not involve clinical rotations in the traditional sense, several classes involve fieldwork where you’ll work on a project with an RN mentor whom you choose yourself. Except for these fieldwork experiences, courses are taught entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous technology.

How Affordable is Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Online RN to BSN:

Total tuition for Texas residents comes to $215 per credit hour; with mandatory fees, however, this amount comes to $914.50 per credit hour. The entire 30-credit program will set you back $27,435 if you’re a resident of the Lone Star State. Out-of-state residents pay tuition of $623 per credit hour; with mandatory fees, this amount comes to $1,322.50 per credit hour. The entire 30-credit program will set you back $39,675 if you live outside Texas.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Students are required to apply for financial aid every year. One of the primary sources for undergraduate scholarships is federal Title IX funds, which you may be able to access for grants and loans by submitting a FAFSA form. Lubbock’s Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center does not appear to offer nursing-specific scholarships at this time.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need an active RN license without any restrictions or stipulations to be accepted into this program. You must have maintained a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in all your previous college-level work. This affordable online RN to BSN program maintains articulation agreements with a number of associate nursing degree programs in community colleges throughout Texas, which gives students of those programs precedence when they apply to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock.

49. Arkansas State University-Jonesboro - Jonesboro, AR

Program Details:

The 30-credit BSN completion program at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro can be completed in as few as 12 months, which is good news indeed if you’re a working RN for whom time is at a premium. Courses are taught over seven-week sessions, and there are two sessions each semester. You’ll take classes such as “Clinical Pathophysiology,” “Issues in Healthcare Policy,” and “Public Health Nursing” that will sharpen your critical thinking skills and ability to offer evidence-based solutions to clinical challenges. In all, you’ll take eight core nursing courses and two nursing electives.

The curriculum culminates with a capstone project in which you’ll implement an evidence-based solution to a challenge in a specific area of nursing interest to you. However, this is another one of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs that requires experiential fieldwork rather than clinical participation as such. Except for that fieldwork, the entire curriculum is delivered online.

How Affordable is Arkansas State University-Jonesboro's Online RN to BSN:

You’ll pay the same tuition for the online RN to BSN program at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro whether you’re an Arkansas resident or live out of state. Tuition comes to $229 per credit hour, while required fees come to $40 per credit hour, so the entire amount you’ll pay per credit hour is $269, and the entire amount you’ll pay for the 30-credit RN to BSN online program is $8,070.

Arkansas State University-Jonesboro's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Fourteen nursing-specific scholarships are available to students who enroll in the RN to BSN program at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro. Students may also qualify for needs-based grants and loans based on the information contained in their federal FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Separate applications for Arkansas State University-Jonesboro and its School of Nursing are demanded of all students admitted into this online RN to BSN program. Additionally, you’ll need to be a graduate of an accredited associate degree in nursing program in which you maintained a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. All students must show proof of an active, unencumbered RN license from the state where they live or work.

50. Missouri Western State University - St. Joseph, MO

Program Details:

Are you interested in enhancing your nursing skills to better meet the complex demands of today’s healthcare environment? The online RN to BSN completion at Missouri Western State University consists of 31 credits (11 classes) that most students can complete within two years. You’ll take courses like “Nursing Alterations in the Community,” “Quantitative Analysis for Healthcare Professionals,” and “Health Promotion/Assessment.” You’ll be responsible for completing an in-depth capstone project that will allow you to demonstrate the knowledge and nursing skills you’ve attained through this RN to BSN program.

Western Missouri is facing a critical shortage of BSN-educated nurses, and in part, Missouri Western State University’s online RN to BSN program was set up to alleviate this shortfall. The university partners with ADN programs at several regional community colleges to help students attain their nursing bachelor’s degrees.

How Affordable is Missouri Western State University's Online RN to BSN:

The tuition for Missouri residents at MWSU is $240 per credit hour, to which a $50 fee is added for instructional support and technology. Residents of the Show Me State will pay around $8,990 in tuition and fees for the entire 31-credit program. Tuition for out-of-state residents is $504 per credit hour, to which that $50 support fee is added. Out-of-state residents thus will pay around $17,174 for the entire 31-credit program. Students in 16 states outside Missouri may qualify for a significant tuition discount through the Griffon Rate waiver.

Missouri Western State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Nursing students at Missouri Western State University can be considered for 22 nursing-specific scholarships. Other forms of financial aid include loans and grants funded through the federal Title IX program; submit a FAFSA to find out if you’re eligible.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need to be a graduate of an accredited ADN or diploma nursing school program with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher if you want to attend this online RN to BSN program. And as is the case with all the most affordable online RN to BSN programs, you’ll need a current, unencumbered RN license in the state where you work and reside.

51. University of the District of Columbia - Washington,

Program Details:

Are you an RN who wants to make a more significant impact in your place of employment? You can complete the University of the District of Columbia’s affordable online RN to BSN program in 16 months. The curriculum consists of 11 core nursing classes for a total of 40 credits. Required coursework includes “Ethical Issues and Health,” “Gerontological Nursing,” and “Nursing Systems Leadership.” Each class is taught over a six-week session, and courses are designed to be taken one at a time. You can start the program in the fall, spring, or summer.

In addition to your online classwork, you’ll have the opportunity for hands-on clinical learning in several of your courses. Your final nursing capstone will pair you with a nurse leader in a healthcare setting that’s particularly interesting to you.

How Affordable is University of the District of Columbia's Online RN to BSN:

Residents of the D.C. Metropolitan Area will be charged $754 per credit hour ($324 per credit hour in tuition and $430 per credit hour in miscellaneous fees), so the total amount they pay for 40 credits will be $30,160. Students who live outside the D.C. Metropolitan Area will be charged $1,110 per credit hour ($680 per credit hour in tuition and $430 in miscellaneous fees), so the total amount they will pay for 40 credits will be $44,100.

University of the District of Columbia's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The University of the District of Columbia participates in the Title IX program. By filling out a FAFSA form, you may qualify for federal grants and loans. The university also disburses five scholarships that are specifically designated for nursing students.

Admission Requirements:

This program is only open to students with a nursing diploma or associate degree from a regionally accredited school. You’ll need to have completed prerequisite classes with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher, and you must have an active, unencumbered RN license.

52. Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau, MO

Program Details:

Southeast Missouri State University’s 32-credit RN to BSN program entails the completion of seven core nursing classes as well as two non-nursing classes (“Statistical Reasoning” and “American Health Care System.”) The program can be completed in three semesters if you enroll full-time or in five semesters if you enroll part-time. You can start the program in either the fall or spring semesters. Courses are taught over eight-week sessions, and there are two eight-week sessions in a semester. Core nursing courses are only offered during the fall and spring semesters.

While the coursework is offered entirely online, some of the core nursing classes have experiential components. You’ll be free to choose a healthcare setting near where you live and work that satisfies those requirements.

How Affordable is Southeast Missouri State University's Online RN to BSN:

Online students at Southeast Missouri State University pay $258.70 per credit hour in tuition with an additional $41.80 in miscellaneous fees. That means you’ll pay a total cost of $300.50 per credit hour for this cheap RN to BSN online program, so the entire 32-credit curriculum will set you back $9,616.

Southeast Missouri State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

If you’re 25 years or older and haven’t attended school in the past two years, you may be eligible for a Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant funded by the State of Missouri. You may also qualify for federal financial aid in the form of grants and loans based on the information you’ve included in your FAFSA form. Additionally, SEMO’s Department of Nursing administers a number of nursing-specific scholarships.

Admission Requirements:

This program is only open to residents of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Arkansas. You’ll need to have a valid, unrestricted RN license in the state where you practice, and your cumulative GPA for prior college-level coursework must be 2.5 or higher.

53. Northwestern Oklahoma State University - Alva, OK

Program Details:

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is another one of the most affordable RN to BSN programs online that uses Caring Science as a critical component of its nursing curriculum. Students enrolled in this program must take a minimum of 30 credits to graduate from the university; required courses include “Nursing Care in the Community,” “Nursing Care of the Adult,” and “Professional Issues in Nursing.” You can finish the online RN to BSN program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in three semesters. The entire curriculum is taught online, and it doesn’t require traditional clinical hours as such.

This is one of the few affordable RN to BSN programs online that will give you advanced standing for your RN work experiences. It’s also one of the few that will allow RNs who did not graduate from an accredited nursing program to take challenge exams to prove their competency so that they can enroll in the program.

How Affordable is Northwestern Oklahoma State University's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for Oklahoma residents is $322.50, so you will pay $9,675 in tuition for a 30-credit program.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Northwestern Oklahoma State University administers eight nursing-specific scholarships. You may also qualify for loans and grants through the federal Title IX program based on answers you provide to questions on the FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

For the most part, this program is only open to Oklahoma residents, though out-of-state applications will be evaluated on an individual basis. You’ll need to apply separately to Northwestern Oklahoma State University and the Nursing Division of the School of Professional Studies, which administers the RN to BSN program. Graduates of accredited associate degree or diploma nursing programs are preferred, and you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all prior college-level work.

54. University of Central Arkansas - Conway, AR

Program Details:

The University of Central Arkansas makes it easy for working nurses to enter its RN to BSN program by providing fall, spring, and summer start dates. The 30-credit curriculum consists of nine classes, such as “Pharmacology,” “Caring for Adults with Chronic Health Problems,” and “Caring for Individuals with Psychiatric Disorders.”

The program features multiple full-time and part-time tracks: You can complete the full-time track in three semesters and the part-time track in six semesters. Classes are taught over eight-week, 10-week, and 15-week sessions, depending upon their complexity. Several of the classes include experiential components, which will enable you to apply what you’ve learned in your online coursework to a real-life challenge you’ve observed in a healthcare setting, but for the most part, this program is delivered using a distance learning format.

How Affordable is University of Central Arkansas Online RN to BSN:

Regardless of their state of residency, all students admitted into the BSN completion program at the University of Central Arkansas pay $285 per credit hour tuition. That means that tuition for 30 credit hours will come to $8,550. Additional nursing assessment, nursing lab, and College of Behavioral Science fees will be applied to your total costs, and these will be assessed on a per-credit-hour basis as well.

University of Central Arkansas Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The University of Central Arkansas Foundation administers 19 scholarships that designate nursing students among their recipients. If you fill out and submit a FAFSA form, you may also qualify for federal financial aid, including loans and grants.

Admission Requirements:

Only RNs with an active, unencumbered RN license in the State of Arkansas will be accepted into this program. You must have graduated from an associate degree or hospital diploma nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. If you graduated more than a year before you applied for admission, you must have worked as a registered nurse for at least 1,000 hours.

55. Wichita State University - Wichita, KS

Program Details:

Wichita State University’s RN to BSN program offers a flexible and convenient way to help you advance your professional goals. The program consists of 31 credits: eight core nursing classes, one recommended core nursing class, and two electives. Courses like “Evidence-Based Nursing for the Practicing RN,” “Foundations of Nursing Leadership for the Practicing RN,” and “Healthcare Leadership for the Practicing RN” help you sharpen your critical thinking skills, while electives such as “Emerging Health Care Issues of the 21st Century,” “Impact of Disease Upon Global Events,” and “Sociology of Sexualities” enable you to focus on niche areas of particular interest.

Courses are offered in eight-week blocks, with two eight-week blocks in a semester. You can finish the program in three semesters if you enroll full-time, but part-time enrollment tracks are also available, and you have up to six years to finish your Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.

How Affordable is Wichita State University's Online RN to BSN:

Online students taking undergraduate classes pay the same tuition, regardless of whether they are Kansas residents or live out of state: $228.09 per credit hour. Additional technology and support fees in the amount of $21.75 per credit hour also apply so that the 31-credit program will cost you $7,745.04.

Wichita State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Shirley E. Hazen Endowed Scholarship is specifically designated for students in Wichita State University’s RN to BSN program. You may also qualify to receive federal grants and loans; fill out a FAFSA form to determine your eligibility.

Admission Requirements:

This cheap online RN to BSN program only accepts applicants with an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a nursing program. You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and an active, unencumbered RN license.

56. Missouri State University - Springfield, MO

Program Details:

Are you prepared to meet the increasingly complex challenges you face as an RN? The RN to BSN program at Missouri State University is designed to help you optimize your nursing expertise. The 33-credit curriculum can be completed in 12 months if you enroll full-time, but you can also enroll part-time and finish your degree in two years if that’s more convenient. You can start the program at three different points during the year. Courses include “Nursing: Health Assessment,” “Community Health Nursing,” and “Pathophysiology for Registered Nurses.” Each online course takes eight weeks to complete. You can start the program in the spring, summer, or fall.

You’ll take several classes that involve direct learning experiences in the community, but other than that, coursework is offered entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous technologies. You’ll also be responsible for completing a capstone project that examines some aspect of healthcare policy.

How Affordable is Missouri State University's Online RN to BSN:

Students enrolled in online courses through Missouri State University’s School of Nursing pay $358 per credit hour in tuition regardless of whether they’re in-state or out-of-state residents. That means the entire tuition for the 33-credit program is $11,814. Additional fees per credit hour are likely to apply.

Missouri State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

If you enroll in this program, you may be considered for federal grants and loans depending on the information you include in your FAFSA form. Additionally, the School of Nursing at Missouri State University administers 17 scholarships for students in its nursing programs.

Admission Requirements:

Missouri State University and its School of Nursing require separate applications. You’ll also need a current, unrestricted license from Missouri or the state in which you are currently practicing.

57. Texas Woman's University - Denton, TX

Program Details:

Despite its name, Texas Woman’s University admits both men and women into its cheap RN to BSN online program. The 32-credit program consists of 10 classes, including “Nursing Assessment Across the Lifespan,” “The Nursing Leadership and Management Experience,” and “Promoting Wellness in the Aging Family.” While most of your course content will be delivered online, you’ll spend 90 hours in a clinical setting. You’ll be asked to complete a capstone project based on a precepted experience, but you can work with a preceptor in your own community.

The program admits students on a rolling basis during the fall, spring, or summer of each year. Courses are taught over seven-week sessions, and there are two seven-week sessions per semester. Full-time students will be able to complete this program in three semesters.

How Affordable is Texas Woman's University's Online RN to BSN:

Texas Woman’s University charges residents of the Lone Star State $294 per credit hour in tuition. (The College of Nursing adds a surcharge of $60 to the basic undergraduate tuition rate of $234 an hour.) Oklahoma residents will be charged $324 per credit hour, while out-of-state residents will be charged $702 per credit hour. Thus, for a 32-credit program, Texas residents can expect to pay $9,408 for tuition, Oklahoma residents can expect to pay $10,368, and out-of-state residents can expect to pay $22,464. Additional fees apply.

Texas Woman's University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

You may qualify for federal and state financial aid through grants and loans based on the information you submit on your FAFSA form. The College of Nursing also makes needs- and merit-based scholarship opportunities available to students in its nursing programs.

Admission Requirements:

This BSN completion program is only open to RNs with active unrestricted licenses and either a nursing associate’s degree or diploma with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. You’ll need to apply separately to Texas Woman’s University and its College of Nursing.

58. Arkansas Tech University - Russellville, AR

Program Details:

The RN to BSN program at Arkansas Tech University offers a comprehensive educational experience that will sharpen your critical thinking skills and other areas of nursing expertise. The 30-credit curriculum consists of seven classes and two electives. Two of your classes will have clinical components: “Professional Practicum Synthesis” will require you to participate in a community-based teaching project, while “Leadership and Management” will let you interact with a nurse leader for eight hours. Except for those two classes, this cheap RN to BSN online program is conducted entirely online.

Full-time students should be able to complete this program in a single calendar year, but the program also offers a part-time track. You can enter the program in either the fall, spring, or summer.

How Affordable is Arkansas Tech University's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition at Arkansas Tech University is $242.5 per credit hour for state residents and $485 per credit hour for out-of-state students, so students who live in Arkansas can expect to pay around $7,275 for the 30-credit program. In contrast, students who live elsewhere can expect to pay $14,550. Other mandatory fees charged by credit hour include technology and instructional support fees.

Arkansas Tech University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Arkansas Tech University Foundation does not seem to offer any nursing-specific scholarships. However, you may qualify for other scholarships based on need or academic merit. Depending on the information in your FAFSA application, you may also be eligible for federal grants and loans.

Admission Requirements:

Arkansas Tech University and its RN to BSN program have separate application processes. The program only accepts accredited diploma or associate degree nursing program graduates with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. You must have a current, unrestricted RN license as well. Applicants who live in Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas are considered in-state for tuition purposes.

59. Indiana University East - Richmond, IN

Program Details:

Indiana University East is a regional campus of Indiana University. The 33-credit RN to BSN program at Indiana University East consists of 11 core nursing courses that aim to help you provide evidence-based care for individuals and communities. The program is mainly delivered online, using web-based and video technologies, but several courses involve experiential learning in clinical settings. One of the curriculum offerings, “The Art and Science of Complementary Health,” is a unique class among the cheapest RN to BSN programs online in that it delves into categories of wellness promotion that are outside the allopathic model, such as healing touch, guided imagery, hypnosis, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology, and massage.

This cheap RN to BSN program has three tracks: a full-time option that can be completed in 12 months, a part-time option that can be completed in 18 months, and a part-time option that can be completed in 24 months. Classes are taught over eight-week sessions, with two eight-week sessions per semester. You can enter the program in the summer, fall, or spring.

How Affordable is Indiana University East's Online RN to BSN:

Indiana residents pay $350 per credit hour, which means they will spend $11,550 on tuition for this program. Out-of-state residents pay $455 per credit hour, which means they will spend $15,015 on tuition for this program. The cited tuition cost includes all applicable fees.

Indiana University East's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Once you enroll in Indiana University East’s BSN continuation program, you’ll qualify for federal loans and grants based on the information contained in your FAFSA application. You may also be eligible for a nursing scholarship: Indiana University’s School of Nursing disburses more than $700,000 in scholarships annually.

Admission Requirements:

Only RNs who graduated with an associate nursing degree are eligible to apply to this program. You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all past college-level coursework, and you must possess a current, unrestricted RN license.

60. Indiana University Kokomo - Kokomo, IN

Program Details:

Are you looking for a convenient and affordable way to kick your RN skills up a notch? Check out the RN to BSN program at Indiana University Kokomo. Like Indiana University East, IU Kokomo is a regional campus of the Indiana University system, and the two BSN continuation programs are more or less identical. The curriculum consists of 11 core nursing classes (33 credit hours.) Flexible enrollment options allow you to finish the curriculum in either 12 months (full-time), 18 months, or 24 months.

Several classes involve practicums and other clinical experiences, which you’re free to schedule at your own place of employment. Apart from that, the entire curriculum is delivered online. The program accepts entering students in the spring, summer, and fall.

How Affordable is Indiana University Kokomo's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition and fees for Indiana students enrolling in this cheap online RN to BSN program come to $350 per credit hour or $11,550 for the entire 33-credit course sequence. Tuition and fees for out-of-state students come to $455 per credit hour or $15,015 for the entire 33-credit course sequence.

Indiana University Kokomo's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Indiana University’s School of Nursing gives away more than $700,000 in scholarship funds annually. Additionally, you may be eligible for state and federal financial aid, but you’ll have to fill out a FAFSA form to determine whether you qualify.

Admission Requirements:

Students applying to this program must have an active, unrestricted RN license and be graduates of an associate degree or diploma nursing program. You’ll need to have maintained a 2.5 cumulative GPA in your prior undergraduate nursing classes. Other campuses in the Indiana University system through which you can enroll in this program are Indiana University Northeast and Indiana University Southeast.

61. University of Central Missouri - Warrensburg, MO

Program Details:

Want to become a BSN-prepared registered nurse in a single year? Check out the University of Central Missouri’s cheap online RN to BSN program. The program requires completing 30 credit hours of classes. Coursework includes “RN-BSN Advanced Concepts of Wellness,” “Socio-Economic Factors Impacting Health,” and “Concepts of Community Health Nursing.” Each course is taught over an eight-week session, and there are two eight-week sessions in a semester.

Like most affordable RN to BSN online programs, the University of Central Missouri’s BSN continuation program includes community health and leadership projects that will take you away from your computer and into the field where you’ll apply what you’ve learned to professional challenges. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year, and you can also enroll in this program on a part-time basis.

How Affordable is the University of Central Missouri's Online RN to BSN:

This is one of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs that charges out-of-state residents the same tuition as in-state residents. Tuition is $268 per credit hour, and the university offers a discount to active military members. Additional fees such as technology and program fees also apply on a per-credit-hour basis.

University of Central Missouri's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Department of Nursing and the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation award 11 nursing-specific scholarships. Other types of state and federal financial aid, such as grants and loans, depend upon the information you submit in your FAFSA application.

Admission Requirements:

For admission into the University of Central Missouri’s RN to BSN program, you’ll need an Associate of Science in Nursing degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. You must have an active, unencumbered RN license with eligibility for licensure in Missouri.

62. Metropolitan State University - St. Paul, MN

Program Details:

Metropolitan State University’s 32-credit RN to BSN program includes individual and group projects, student presentations, and a clinical practicum in a community health setting, as well as didactic coursework delivered via a distance learning platform. Courses are taught sequentially, starting with “Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Practice” and ending with “Global Health Issues.” Most students finish the program in five semesters. You can enter the program in the spring or fall.

The American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation endorses Metro State’s BSN completion program, so graduates are eligible to be credentialed as holistic nurses and nurse coaches. The program is also unusual among the cheapest RN to BSN programs online in that its graduation requirements include a class in medical ethics that’s not part of the curriculum as well as a “racial issues” learning experience.

How Affordable is Metropolitan State University's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for nursing courses at Metropolitan State University is $358.08 per credit hour, so you will pay $11,458.56 for the 32-credit program.

Metropolitan State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Metro State participates in the federal Title IX program, and eligible students will be considered for grants and loans so long as they fill out and submit a FAFSA form. Although the university doesn’t appear to offer any nursing-specific scholarships, nursing students may qualify for other university-administered scholarships.

Admission Requirements:

Metropolitan State University in St. Paul should not be confused with Metropolitan State University in Denver though they both offer RN to BSN programs. The affordable RN to BSN online program in Saint Paul only accepts applicants with active, unencumbered RN licenses from Minnesota or Wisconsin. Applicants must have an associate degree or a diploma in nursing from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

63. Henderson State University - Arkadelphia, AR

Program Details:

Are you an ADN-prepared RN looking for a quick and convenient way to increase your earning potential? Henderson State University’s 33-credit online RN to BSN program can help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in just one year. You can begin the program in either the fall or spring semester.

How Affordable is Henderson State University's Online RN to BSN:

Henderson State University is one of the few affordable RN to BSN online programs offering flat-rate, bundled tuition. You’ll pay $2,500 a semester regardless of whether you live in Arkansas or another state, and there are no additional fees. The total cost of your three-semester RN to BSN education will come to $7,500.

Henderson State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

You may be eligible for state and federal grants and loans depending on the information you submit in your FAFSA form. Henderson State University also administers five scholarships specifically designated for nursing students.

Admission Requirements:

Like most of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs, Henderson State University only admits graduates of an accredited associate degree or diploma programs in nursing. Your cumulative GPA must be 2.0 or above, and you must hold a current, unencumbered RN license.

64. James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA

Program Details:

James Madison University makes it easy for ADN-prepared RNs to pursue their educational goals by offering a 30-credit RN to BSN curriculum with full-time and part-time tracks and two admission dates into the program every year. You can complete the program in three semesters if you enroll full-time or in five semesters if you enroll part-time. You can start the program in either the spring or the fall.

Courses include “Health Assessment,” “Leadership and Management in Healthcare,” and “Caring for the Public’s Health: Community Health Nursing.” Classes are taught online using asynchronous technology so that you can fit your studies around your work and family responsibilities. You will have the opportunity for practicum experiences, however. James Madison University is unusual among the cheapest RN to BSN online programs in that it offers RN to BSN students the opportunity to perform their community health clinical course requirement by working internationally in a clinic in Costa Rica.

How Affordable is James Madison University's Online RN to BSN:

Virginia residents pay $435 per credit hour in tuition and fees at James Madison University; a TrueScreen fee also applies, so the estimated cost of this cheap RN to BSN online program is $13,888. Out-of-state residents pay $445 per credit hour in tuition and fees at James Madison University, and the estimated cost for the entire program comes to $13,421.

James Madison University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

James Madison University offers two needs-based scholarships for incoming nursing students. Students may also qualify for state and federal loans and grants by filling out and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

Students will need an associate degree or a diploma in nursing from an accredited school to enter this program. Your cumulative GPA will need to be 2.5 or higher. You’ll also need to have an active, unrestricted RN license. Students enrolled in an ADN program within the Virginia Community College System can apply to be considered for co-enrollment.

65. Metropolitan State University of Denver - Denver, CO

Program Details:

Metropolitan State University of Denver offers an online Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option (BRNCO) that’s ideal for working RNs who want to fast-track their professional skills and for students currently enrolled in an ADN program who already know they want a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum is either 31 or 37 credits, depending upon whether you need to take a statistics course or an oral communication course.

Core nursing classes include “Care Coordination of Acute and Chronic Disease Management,” “Multicultural Care of Patients and Their Families,” and “Evidence-Based Practice Through Nursing Research.” The last four classes in the recommended course sequence include practicums and experiential learning away from the computer, but all courses are taught online except for those. Licensed RNs should be able to finish the curriculum in a single year.

How Affordable is Metropolitan State University of Denver's Online RN to BSN:

Colorado residents pay $495.67 in tuition and fees per credit hour, and the complete cost of the 30-credit program is $14,212. Out-of-state residents pay $688.33 in tuition and fees per credit hour, and the complete cost of the 30-credit program is $19,996.

Metropolitan State University of Denver's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Qualifying Colorado students may be eligible for grants from the state-administered College Opportunity Fund. Whether you reside in the Centennial State or elsewhere, you may qualify for federal grants and loans based on the information you include in your FAFSA application. Although MSU Denver doesn’t appear to offer any nursing-specific scholarships, the school does award a $1,000 Renewal Annual Scholarship for new and returning students.

Admission Requirements:

Unlike others among the cheapest RN to BSN online programs offering co-enrollment programs, MSU Denver admits ADN students from anywhere in the nation. However, you must attain your RN license by the time you enroll in the last four classes of the curriculum sequence.

66. University of Virginia's College at Wise - Wise, VA

Program Details:

UV Wise’s RN to BSN program is one of the few cheapest online RN to BSN programs focusing on a specific niche—in this instance, nursing care among rural populations. Its 30-credit curriculum includes courses like “Appalachian Culture and Health,” “Rural Public Health,” and “Health Promotion in Rural Appalachia.” The program was designed with working nurses in mind; it can be completed in two or four semesters, depending upon whether you enroll in classes on a full-time or part-time basis. Several classes entail clinical components, but most of your coursework can be completed online.

RNs who received their ADN from a Virginia Community College System school may be eligible for preferential admission into this affordable RN to BSN online program.

How Affordable is University of Virginia's College at Wise's Online RN to BSN:

Virginia residents taking 12 to 18 credits per semester will pay approximately $11,498 to complete this RN to BSN program. RNs living outside Virginia will pay an estimated $31,592 per semester. If you take fewer than 12 credits a semester, tuition will be charged per credit hour: $258 per credit hour for Virginia residents, and $1,044 for non-residents.

University of Virginia's College at Wise's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Students who live in the Appalachian regions of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia may be eligible for a significant reduction in out-of-state tuition through UV Wise’s participation in the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Initiative. Federal grants and loans are also available through the school’s participation in the Title IX program; submit a FAFSA form to see if you qualify. While UV Wise doesn’t appear to offer any nursing-specific scholarships, the university offers needs-based scholarships to all low-income students.

Admission Requirements:

This online RN to BSN program is only open to nurses who’ve graduated either from a hospital diploma program or an associate degree nursing program. Your RN license must be active and unrestricted.

67. Sam Houston State University - The Woodlands, TX

Program Details:

Are you a nurse in the Lone Star State who’s looking for a way to climb higher on the career ladder? Sam Houston State University’s affordable online RN to BSN program may be just what you’re looking for. The 30-credit program consists of 10 core nursing classes such as “Older Adult Health Management,” “Leadership and Management,” and “Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing.” The program has flexible summer, fall, and spring start dates. You can complete your course of study in one calendar year if you enroll full-time, but part-time enrollment is also an option. Fall and spring semesters entail two seven-and-a-half-week sessions, while summer consists of one 10-week session. You’ll take at least one class every session.

Like nearly all of the most affordable RN to BSN programs online, several required core nursing classes include an experiential component that will have you interacting with healthcare patients and providers in a community setting. Apart from those experiences, though, the entire curriculum is delivered using a distance learning platform.

How Affordable is Sam Houston State University's Online RN to BSN:

The cost of tuition and fees for Texas residents is $625.40 per credit hour. That means you’ll spend approximately $18,762 for Sam Houston State University’s 30-credit curriculum.

Sam Houston State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Sam Houston State University doesn’t appear to designate any scholarships specifically for nursing students, but nursing students may be eligible for other categories of scholarship assistance. Additionally, RN to BSN students may qualify for federal grants and loans depending on their FAFSA application information.

Admission Requirements:

This program is only open to RNs with active, unencumbered Texas licenses. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited ADN or nursing diploma program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Co-enrollment options are available for students enrolled in an ADN program at Alvin Community College, Blinn College, Lone Star College, or Temple College.

68. University of Maine-Fort Kent - Fort Kent, ME

Program Details:

The 30-credit BSN completion program offered by the University of Maine-Fort Kent was designed with the working nurse in mind. Courses are taught over seven-week sessions using asynchronous technology, and each semester consists of two seven-week sessions. If you pursue the program full-time, you’ll be able to complete it in 10 months. You can start the program on one of two dates in the fall, spring, or summer.

The curriculum includes classes like “Transcultural Care in Nursing,” “Health Care Policy,” and “Leadership & Management in Healthcare.” The final course in the RN to BSN sequence is a practicum for which you’ll be expected to identify a community health problem and determine an appropriate intervention. You’ll also be required to create a portfolio demonstrating how well you’ve met this RN to BSN program’s goals.

How Affordable is University of Maine-Fort Kent's Online RN to BSN:

The RN to BSN program at the University of Maine-Fort Kent has one of the most transparent payment models among the cheapest RN to BSN programs online: Maine residents and non-residents both pay $300 per credit hour, and that includes tuition plus all applicable fees. You’ll spend $9,000 in total for 30 credits of core nursing classes.

University of Maine-Fort Kent's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The University of Maine-Fort Kent recently received a $250,000 endowment to provide scholarships for the nursing students enrolled in its programs, and as an RN to BSN student, you may qualify for consideration. You may also be eligible for federal grants and loans by filling out and submitting a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need a current, unencumbered RN license to be accepted into this cheap RN to BSN online program. You’ll also need to be a graduate of an accredited ADN/ASN program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in your previous college-level work. This affordable RN to BSN online program is only open to RNs who live in certain states, so check to see if your state is one of those before you apply.

69. Minnesota State University Moorhead - Moorhead, MN

Program Details:

The 31-credit online RN to BSN program at Minnesota State University Moorhead consists of eight core nursing classes and one elective. Courses include “Holistic Family Health Nursing,” “Interdisciplinary Care of Diverse Populations,” and “Leadership and Professional Development,” and culminate with a senior capstone project in which you’ll investigate a nursing challenge in the field and propose an evidence-based solution. Apart from practicum requirements, all classes are delivered entirely online.

This program is comparatively unique among the cheapest RN to BSN online programs. It offers you the opportunity to participate in a study-abroad program: Faculty members regularly lead groups that tour healthcare settings in countries like the Dominican Republic and Ireland, and these experiences are open to online RN to BSN students as well.

How Affordable is Minnesota State University Moorhead's Online RN to BSN:

Minnesota residents pursuing this cheap RN to BSN online program will pay $350.06 per credit hour in tuition and fees; the total cost of 31 credits will be $10,851.86. Students who live outside the Land of Lakes will pay $644.65 per credit hour in tuition and fees; the total cost of 31 credits will be $19,984.15. The university has agreements in place with Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio that may grant students from those states a significant reduction in tuition and fees.

Minnesota State University Moorhead's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Minnesota State University Moorhead administers five scholarships that are specifically designated for nursing students. Students may also apply for state and federal grants and loans by filling out and handing in a FAFSA application.

Admission Requirements:

For entry into this program, you’ll need to apply separately to Minnesota State University Moorhead and its RN to BSN program. The program accepts RNs with associate degrees from accredited nursing programs and students enrolled in an associate nursing degree program who will shortly be taking the NCLEX exam. This cheap RN to BSN online program collaborates in a dual acceptance program with Central Lakes College, Lake Superior College, Minnesota State Community & Technical College, North Dakota State College of Science, and Northland Community & Technical College.

70. University of Texas-El Paso - El Paso, TX

Program Details:

Looking for a cost-effective way to expand your nursing career opportunities? The University of Texas-El Paso offers an affordable online RN to BSN program that you can complete in as few as three semesters if you enroll full-time or four semesters if you’re a part-time student. Classes are taught over seven-week sessions, and you’ll only take one at a time. There are two seven-week sessions in a semester. This program has the shortest list of mandatory core nursing classes of any of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs: Just five in all (21 credits.). But UTEP has a residency requirement for graduation of 30 credits, so you’ll need to take other classes. Most students satisfy this residency credit by taking some of their general education requirements here.

UTEP’s RN to BSN program is one of the first to implement a mentorship component that was recently endorsed for all Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs nationwide. With input from your mentor, you’ll complete a community needs teaching project as a requirement for your final core nursing class.

How Affordable is University of Texas-El Paso's Online RN to BSN:

Both in-state and out-of-state students pay $336.12 per credit hour in tuition, which means you’ll pay a total tuition cost of $10,083.60 for 30 credits. Additional fees per credit hour apply as well.

University of Texas-El Paso's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

You must submit a FAFSA form if you’d like to be considered for state and federal grants and loans. The University of Texas-El Paso also has a handsome scholarship endowment; some scholarships are earmarked for nursing students.

Admission Requirements:

This cheap RN to BSN online program admits students enrolled in ADN programs as well as ADN graduates, so long as those enrolled students have attained RN licensure by the time they need to take classes with experiential components.

71. United States University - San Diego, CA

Program Details:

The RN to BSN program at United States University is a 30-credit curriculum consisting of 11 core nursing courses. This is another one of the cheapest RN to BSN programs online that’s grounded in Caring Science theory. You’ll take classes like “Foundations of a Caring Science,” “Innovation in Patient Care Technology and Information Management,” and “Cultural Diversity, Spirituality and Ethics in Healthcare.”

The final course in the sequence you’ll be required to take involves a capstone project based on your 90-hour community practicum. You’ll be able to complete your practicum in a healthcare-related agency or facility close to where you live and work. Except for the required practicum, this program is taught entirely online. Full-time students should be able to complete it in 12 months.

How Affordable is United States University's Online RN to BSN:

Out-of-state residents pay the same tuition as California residents: $325 per credit hour. When other fees calculated per credit hour are added to tuition, the total cost of the 30-credit program is $10,750.

United States University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

While United States University doesn’t appear to offer any nursing-specific scholarships, it does participate in the Title IX program, so you can apply for federal and state grants and loans by filling out a FAFSA application. United States University also offers a credit plan that will allow you to pay back the cost of your education at $250 a month.

Admission Requirements:

This affordable RN to BSN online program is open to associate degree- or diploma-prepared registered nurses with unencumbered licenses.

72. Mayville State University - Mayville, ND

Program Details:

There are two completion tracks for the RN to BSN program at Mayville State University: If you enroll full-time, you’ll be able to complete the track in 12 months; if you enroll part-time, you’ll be able to complete the track in 24 months. You can start the program in either the fall or the spring. The 28-credit program consists of nine core nursing classes; you’ll also have the option of taking a three-credit upper division statistics course to meet Mayville State University’s residency requirement.

Courses are taught in five-week blocks, which allows full-time students to take three or four courses each semester. Courses include “Baccalaureate Role Development: Provider of Care, Manager of Care, and Member of a Profession,” “Holistic Health Promotion Across the Lifespan,” and “Nursing Informatics and Health Care Technologies.” Like all the cheapest RN to BSN programs online, this affordable RN to BSN program includes an experiential component.

How Affordable is Mayville State University's Online RN to BSN:

Online nursing students at Mayville State University pay the same tuition and fees regardless of whether they live in North Dakota or elsewhere: $389.14 per credit hour. For the 31-credit RN to BSN program, you’ll pay $12,063.34.

Mayville State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Mayville State University is actively involved with fundraising to provide scholarships for students enrolled in its RN to BSN program. You may also qualify for federal and state grants and loans; find out by submitting a FAFSA application.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll have to submit separate applications to Mayville State University and the RN to BSN program. You’ll need a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in prior college-level work. You’ll also need an active, unencumbered RN license.

73. University of Arkansas-Fayetteville - Fayetteville, AR

Program Details:

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville offers an RN to BSN program designed to optimize flexibility. You’ll have a choice of five start dates every year in the fall, spring, and summer; if you enroll full-time, you can graduate in a year, but you also have the option of enrolling part-time and graduating in 16 months or two years. The 30-credit program consists of 11 core nursing classes such as “Leadership for Professional Nurses,” “Pathophysiology in Nursing,” and “Population and Community Health Nursing.”

Like all the cheapest RN to BSN programs online, this program has a practicum requirement. You’ll spend 75 hours in the community collaborating with an RN preceptor on a quality improvement project in a nursing area of particular interest to you. You can complete this requirement in your own geographical location. Aside from that, all your coursework will be delivered using an asynchronous distance learning format.

How Affordable is University of Arkansas-Fayetteville's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for this program is $302.04 per credit hour, regardless of whether you’re an Arkansas resident or live outside the state. You’ll end up paying $9,061.20 in tuition for the entire 30-credit course sequence. Other fees (such as a clinical practicum fee) will apply.

University of Arkansas-Fayetteville's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Students enrolled in this RN to BSN program are eligible for scholarships administered by the College of Education and Health Professionals as well as for more general scholarship opportunities from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. You may also qualify for Title IX-backed grants and loans based on the information you submit in your FAFSA application.

Admission Requirements:

This RN to BSN program is not available to students residing in Colorado, Minnesota, or Washington State. The program is open to RNs with active, unencumbered licenses; moreover, you must submit a work verification letter that states you’ve worked a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in the last 12 to 24 months.

74. Lamar University - Beaumont, TX

Program Details:

Are you a practicing RN who’s looking for more control over your nursing career? The 30-credit RN to BSN program offered by the Joanne Gay Dishman School of Nursing at Lamar University will enable you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in just 13 months. Classes are taught in eight-week sessions, and most students spend around 15 hours a week on schoolwork.

Coursework includes classes like “Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment,” “Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management in the Healthcare System,” and “Nursing Practice: Care of Communities.” Courses include a practicum and community-based service learning hours but otherwise are offered completely online. Your final course, “Synthesis in Professional Nursing,” will entail completing a project that demonstrates how well you can apply the nursing theory you’ve just learned to real-world challenges in community settings.

How Affordable is Lamar University's Online RN to BSN:

Lamar University charges students who live out of state the same tuition and fees that Texas residents pay: $278 per credit hour. The total cost for 30 credits will come to $8,340.

Lamar University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

The Joanne Gay Dishman School of Nursing has designated 24 endowed scholarships specifically for nursing students. RN to BSN students may also qualify for grants and loans based on information they’ve included in their FAFSA forms.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must have either an ADN or an AAS degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in prior college-level work. You must also have an active, unencumbered RN license.

75. Winona State University - Winona, MN

Program Details:

Looking for a cheap RN to BSN program to help you improve your job prospects, open up new career possibilities, and earn a higher salary? Winona State University offers a 30-credit BSN continuation program that you can complete in three semesters if you enroll full-time. But this cheap online RN to BSN program also has three part-time tracks that will allow you to complete it in two, three, or four years. You can start the program in either the fall or spring semesters.

Coursework includes “Research and Evidence-Based Practice,” “Holistic Assessment,” and “Issues and Trends in Managing Chronic Conditions.” You’ll need to complete two 30-hour practicums to fulfill the requirement for your two community health courses. All coursework apart from these practicums is offered online.

How Affordable is Winona State University's Online RN to BSN:

Winona State University offers a flat tuition rate for students who take 12 to 18 credits in a single semester. Minnesota and Wisconsin residents will pay $4,193.75 a semester; North Dakota residents will pay $4636.50, while South Dakota residents will pay $5,243. Out-of-state residents will pay $7,559.85.

Students who take fewer than 12 credits per semester will be billed per credit hour. Minnesota residents will pay $277.40 per credit hour; out-of-state residents will pay $503.60 per credit hour.

Winona State University's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

Winona State University makes a number of scholarships available to nursing students. Students in their cheap RN to BSN online program may also be eligible for federal and state loans and grants based on information contained in the FAFSA forms they submit.

Admission Requirements:

This cheap online RN to BSN program is open to associate degree- or diploma-prepared RNs with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in all prior college-level courses. Students in their last year of nursing school may apply, but RN licensure is required within the program’s first semester.

76. University of South Dakota - Vermillion, SD

Program Details:

The University of South Dakota’s cheap online RN to BSN program offers two completion tracks: If you enroll in the program full-time, you should be able to complete it in three semesters; if you enroll in the program part-time, you should be able to complete it in four semesters. The 27-credit curriculum only consists of eight core nursing classes, but the university has a residency requirement of 30 credits, so you’ll have to take an additional 3-credit course if you want to graduate from this school.

Classes include “Information Management and Technology Application,” “Leadership and Professionalism,” and “Optimizing Health of Populations.” Though you’ll be tackling most of your coursework online, this cheap RN to BSN online program involves a practicum experience and a capstone project, which will give you the opportunity to design a solution to a challenge you’ve encountered in the course of your fieldwork. The instructors who teach this cheap RN to BSN online program are the same faculty members who teach the campus-based BSN program.

How Affordable is University of South Dakota's Online RN to BSN:

Tuition for the University of South Dakota’s online RN to BSN program is $354.75 per credit hour, regardless of whether you’re a South Dakota resident or live out of state. You’ll end up paying $10,642.50 for 30 credits.

University of South Dakota's Scholarships & Financial Aid For RN to BSN Students:

While the University of South Dakota has an extensive scholarship program, there don’t appear to be many scholarships specifically designated for nursing students. You may qualify for federal and state grants and loans, however, if you fill out and submit a FAFSA form.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need to apply separately to the University of South Dakota and the RN to BSN program if you want to be admitted into this cheap online RN to BSN program. You must be a graduate of a regionally accredited ADN program and have earned a 2.0 cumulative GPA in all prerequisite courses. You must also possess an active RN license with no encumbrances.

ARE AFFORDABLE RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAMS WORTH IT – MY FINAL THOUGHTS

This article has presented an in-depth look at the 76 cheapest accredited online RN to BSN programs in 2024. Now that you have a reliable answer to the question, “What are the cheapest RN to BSN online programs?” it’s time to evaluate whether these programs are worth it. I think the answer to that question is a resounding, “Yes!”

Affordable online RN to BSN programs offer you the flexibility you need to balance a hectic work and school schedule. Many of them can be completed in as few as 12 months. You’ll have more opportunities to pursue specializations and management roles in any healthcare setting that you work in. Most importantly, though, you’ll stay ahead of the curve since many states are considering legislation that would mandate all registered nurses be BSN-educated within the next decade.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT

1. What Is The Cheapest Online RN to BSN Program In The Nation?

This question is difficult to answer definitively, because many RN to BSN programs are not entirely transparent about the costs of the education they provide. In addition to tuition that’s assessed per credit hour, there may also be fees that are imposed per credit hour, and those fees may not be listed on the program’s website. It’s definitely worth contacting any of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs you’re interested in to get a complete breakdown of all the costs you might incur if you enroll.

That said, the least expensive RN to BSN program on this list is Northwest Florida State College’s RN to BSN program. The total tuition cost is $3,677.70 for Florida residents and just $3,707.70 for non-residents.

2. Are There Any Free Online RN to BSN Programs?

No, there aren’t any free online RN to BSN programs. Most programs offer eligible students financial aid and scholarships, however.

3. Do The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Offer The Same Quality Of Education As Regular RN to BSN Online Programs?

That depends upon the program. The cheapest RN to BSN online programs aim to advance your career opportunities in a short period of time, so they’re fast-paced and cover a lot of information quickly. That can be challenging. But there’s no difference in the quality of the educational materials themselves or in the quality of the instructors.

The cheapest RN to BSN online programs may actually offer a more integrated nursing educational experience, particularly if you continue to work while you’re in school, since you’ll have the opportunity to use the real-life challenges you incur in your workplace as a testing ground for the nursing theories you’re learning.

4. Are The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Hard To Get Into?

Admission into all nursing schools is highly competitive, whether those schools use a traditional campus or a distance learning model. When it comes to cumulative grade point averages, though, the cheapest online RN to BSN programs may be slightly easier to get into. Most campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs require a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; most online RN to BSN programs require a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

5. What Is The Minimum GPA Required To Get Into The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs?

Most of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs require a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all prior college-level work.

6. How Credible Are The Cheapest Online RN to BSN Programs?

So long as an RN to BSN program strictly adheres to the standards of its accrediting agency, it’s fully credible.

7. Do Employers Respect Cheapest Online RN to BSN Degrees?

Most employers don’t care whether you earned your BSN online or on campus. They only care that you have a BSN.

8. Does Accreditation Matter For The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs?

Yes, accreditation is very important for the cheapest RN to BSN online programs. Accreditation offers reassurance that the educational experience being offered adheres to a high set of standards.

9. Will The Faculty Of Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Be Experienced?

The faculty who teach at inexpensive RN to BSN programs have BSNs themselves, and many of them have Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees as well. Fewer of them have Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. In some ways, online nursing faculty are more experienced than campus-based nursing faculty because more of them continue to hold clinical jobs, at least part-time. This means they are able to frame what they are teaching in terms of real-world experiences.

10. Do The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Have Lesser Credits?

The curriculum of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs is usually equivalent to the curriculum of any other upper-division nursing degree. Core nursing classes typically account for 30 credit hours.

11. Are The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Part-Time Or Full-Time?

Many of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs offer both a full-time and a part-time track.

12. Can I Work Part-Time And Successfully Complete Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs?

Yes. In fact, most RNs enrolled in online RN to BSN programs work part-time.

13. Can I Work Full-Time And Successfully Complete Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Your coursework will typically entail between 15 and 20 hours of study a week, and when you add that to a full-time, 36-hour-a-week job, you’ll have little time left over to do anything else.

14. Do The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Offer Scholarships?

Many of the schools offering online RN to BSN programs have generous scholarship endowments, and as a student at that school, you’ll have the same access to those funds as traditional campus students have.

15. Are The Cheapest RN to BSN Online Degree Graduates Paid Well?

Online RN to BSN graduates make the same amount as BSN-prepared nurses who earned their degrees by attending a traditional campus program.

Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.